JOHN Dramani Mahama
PRESIDENT JOHN Dramani Mahama has pledged to resource every Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) in Ghana with not less than GH₵25 million this year.
The funding, according to the President, aims at ensuring that local governments are properly resourced to meet the development needs of their respective communities.
Speaking at the orientation of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra, President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to decentralised development and the crucial role of local authorities in national progress.
“This year, every assembly from the largest to the smallest will receive not less than GH₵25 million,” he assured.
According to the President, this allocation aligns with the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 manifesto, which prioritises local governance at the centre of Ghana’s development agenda.
“The NDC manifesto outlines a bold and people-centred agenda that puts local government at the heart of national development. You are the first line of the economy,” he stated.
President Mahama further highlighted that the 2025 Budget Statement reflects this priority by committing 80 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He also pointed to major government programmes such as the Clean Up Ghana campaign, Adumawura, the National Apprenticeship Programme, Mahama Cares, and Feed Ghana.
These, he said, are not abstract policies but practical initiatives that require strong coordination and effective leadership at the district level to be successfully implemented.
He urged district leaders to apply the resources in line with local priorities and medium-term development plans, saying, “These funds must reflect the needs of your people and be used to deliver real development outcomes.”
The President also directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to declare their assets by July 15, 2025.
“In the meantime, I wish to remind you that you are among the office holders who are required to declare your assets, and so I expect that by July 15th, all of you will have declared your assets,” he stressed.
President Mahama also revealed that future MMDCEs may no longer be appointed, but rather elected, in line with growing public demand for greater accountability in local governance.
According to him, one of the key recommendations emerging from the Constitution Review Committee’s nationwide consultations is the introduction of elections for MMDCEs. He said the Committee is expected to present its final report in August 2025.
“MMDCEs, you may be the last batch of MMDCEs appointed. The National Review Committee is going round and will present its recommendation in August this year, and one of the major items that has come up is the election of the MMDCEs. There is no doubt that Ghanaians want the MMDCEs elected. Those who succeed you might have to go through elections,” he stated.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke