ELECTION OF MMDCEs - A WRONG INITIATIVE.

One of the most recent news in the public domain is H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo announcing that Ghana will begin to elect its Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in 2021. Over the years, MMDCEs are appointed by the ruling government so as to represent government in the various Metropolis, Municipalities and Districts across the country. In this representation, the Chief Executive is to implement the central government’s policy in their jurisdiction. Also, they oversee activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly staff in order to bring development to the area.

The debate of electing MMDCEs popped up few years ago with many citizens speaking for and against the initiative. Those speaking in favor of the initiative are of the view that electing MMDCEs will promote development since the Mayor/ Chief Executive will be serious about developmental plans in the area knowing that election is at stake in the next few years. They also made the argument that sometimes inhabitants are not happy with the Mayor/Chief Executive appointed by the President, thus there is lack of peace and collaboration for development. These and other numerous reasons were given by some school of thoughts that are in favor of the election of MMDCEs.

On the other hand, some section of citizens raised concerns that are against the election of MMDCEs. Though I am not an authority in governance, I have reservations for the election of MMDCEs. I think it is totally bogus to have our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Mayor/Chief Executives voted for.

One reason I deem the election of MMDCEs bogus is the history of elections and its effect on Ghana as a country and the citizens. Ghana held its first Presidential elections in 1960. After attaining independence, we have been holding series of elections to elect our Parliamentary and Presidential candidates. We also hold Assembly Member Elections across all Constituencies in Ghana.

Critically analyzing the about 5 various elections that I have witnessed in Ghana, I will say that elections have not brought any specific change to our beloved country and to the citizens. Basically two main political parties namely New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress have been the ones winning elections in Ghana since 1992. During the ruling of these two political parties, almost similar things happen. Even though these two political parties are said to have differences in ideology, their progress and failures are similar with corruption being at the center of their attitude. And at the end, the ordinary Ghanaian who stood in cue for long hours to vote does not benefit much.

Let me expatiate on some of the evils that election has brought to us as a country. Even though the masters of democracy consider election as an integral part of having a fair governance system, election seasons in Ghana bring a lot of tension and division to the country. Election years are the most uncertain periods for Ghana where many are not sure whether we will continue to enjoy peace or there will be riots emanating from misunderstandings during the elections. The worse of it is when some political leaders make certain irresponsible statements that could trigger a faction of party supporters to cause mayhem. Such uncertainty, fear and panic that election brings to Ghana every four years does not augur well for a peaceful country like ours. Factually, it is in these election periods that war and riots break in many countries. Even though over the years there have not been any major war linked to elections in Ghana, the pockets of unrest, violence and uproar that occurs in some parts of the country is enough to conclude that the fear and panic associated with elections are alarming. Fresh in our minds of death resulting from election problems is the death of Alhadji Adams Mahama, Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP. Many other people especially supporters die from election related attacks from opponent political parties. It is at this moment that even siblings turn against each other in a war-like manner, thereby bringing a lot of division among friends and loved ones.   

Another evil that comes along with elections is the spending spree that political leaders go on just to win votes from citizens. A lot of money goes down the drain in election years; where cars, bill boards, posters, etc. consume a huge amount of money from politicians. It is during election years that powerful politicians get a bit vulnerable thus enabling their supporters to cash in on their vulnerability and extort money from them. To me, many of the equipment bought during election years are a waste of money and resources. If all that money should be churn out into developing Ghana, imagine the vast development that Ghana will witness considering the millions spent on advertising and co. Virtually nothing comes out of that huge spending especially of benefit to the ordinary Ghanaian. The politicians who win the elections find their way into the coffers of the state and loot back all the money spent. Infact they loot more than what was spent leaving the ordinary Ghanaian to suffer. Such waste of money and resources on billboards, cars, Electoral equipment, etc. which later gets damaged and become of no use is alarming.

Furthermore, considering Ghana’s financial status ‘vis a vis’ the amount of cash spent on activities of the Electoral Commission and other state agencies whose funding comes from government coffers every four years for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Assemby elections we hold, we will be adding up cost by electing MMDCEs also.

I can continue to go on and on about the evils that elections bring to this country every four years. Thus the decision to begin electing MMDCEs is just another way of adding to the already existing evils that come along with our Parliamentary, Presidential and Assembly elections. There will be division, assault, violence, death, etc. in our Metropolis, Municipalities and Districts just because the Mayor/Chief Executive is being voted for. The state will spend money that will bring no return. There will be a lot of money spent on campaign for which those who win will come back finding ways to loot their cash spent. These and many other evils are going to come into our areas just for the sake of elections. With the already existing menace associated with elections that we are unable to overcome, Ghana will in 2021 add up to her woes by introducing election of MMDCEs.

Even though election has not yet brought war in Ghana, we are not certain that it may not bring war because Ghana and Ghanaians are not different from the other countries that election begets war. Also, all activities like violence that leads to war in those countries during election years also occur here in Ghana. It is only for the luck of times that we have not witnessed a war outbreak here in Ghana emanating from elections. But we cannot continue to bet on luck and whatever reason hoping that war will not erupt from fallout during election periods.

Democracy is already expensive and causing us huge sums of money. Should a developing country like Ghana not be thinking of reducing our expenditure than add up to the already extravagant and wasteful state spending? In as much as we think elections represent the real voice of the people; (amid the numerous election malpractice and violence), money spent on elections could be more beneficial when used than voting to determine the real choice of the masses. After all how well do those elected really represent the voice of the masses? They quickly shut their doors to advice and fail to do the real will of the people. Even in the developed world, the masses complain about their elected politicians so whether elected or not, politicians will always act as politicians with corruption at the top of their agenda. Politicians can never be trusted! Electing them is an enemy to the masses!

To save ourselves from extra problems that election brings, I am of the view that adding the election of MMDCEs is equivalent to doubling our election related problems, most of which can plunge Ghana into war and dry up our coffers. Election no matter how it goes, the state and individuals blow cash on stuff that if avoided can be used to develop a developing Ghana.

Thanks for reading. Do not hesitate to write your comments and contributions on this topic.