• Contact US
  • Advertise With US
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Submit Station
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Kumasi Mail
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Education
    • Health
    • Manhyia
    Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

    Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

    A/R: Volunteer group arrest 13 Illegal miners at Adumasa

    Osei-Owusu decries Galamsey devastation in Asante Bekwai, calls for urgent action

    Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

    Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

    Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

    Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

    From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

    From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

    GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

    GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

    Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

    Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

    President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

    President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

    Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

    Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

    • Health
    • Education
  • Election 2024
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • World
  • Media
  • Manhyia
  • History
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Education
    • Health
    • Manhyia
    Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

    Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

    A/R: Volunteer group arrest 13 Illegal miners at Adumasa

    Osei-Owusu decries Galamsey devastation in Asante Bekwai, calls for urgent action

    Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

    Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

    Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

    Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

    From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

    From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

    GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

    GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

    Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

    Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

    President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

    President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

    Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

    Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

    • Health
    • Education
  • Election 2024
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • World
  • Media
  • Manhyia
  • History
No Result
View All Result
Kumasi Mail
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Election 2024
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • World
  • Media
  • Manhyia
  • History
Home News

Former DCE petitions Speaker over MPs’ role in District development

Abass Fuseini Sbaabe Petitions the Speaker of Parliament

Kumasi Mail by Kumasi Mail
October 15, 2025
in News
0
Former DCE petitions Speaker over MPs’ role in District development
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Former DCE petitions Speaker over MPs’ role in District development

A former District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Fanteakwa District Assembly, Abass Fuseini Sbaabe, has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, calling for a formal clarification of the constitutional and legal roles of District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) in district development planning.

In his petition, Mr. Sbaabe expressed concern over a recent statement attributed to the Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Local Government, which suggested that MPs should determine where government projects are located within districts because they make campaign promises to voters, while DCEs, who are appointed, lack such authority.

Mr. Sbaabe described the statement as “legally unfounded, administratively misleading, and fundamentally inconsistent with constitutional principles” governing Ghana’s local government system. He said the comment reflects a misunderstanding of the decentralized governance framework and could misinform the public about the distinct roles of DCEs and MPs.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

Citing the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), Mr. Sbaabe emphasized that District Assemblies are the highest political authorities at the local level, vested with deliberative, legislative, and executive powers.

He referenced Article 240(2) of the Constitution, which mandates the transfer of functions, powers, and resources from central government to local government units to promote effective participation in governance.

“The District Assembly, chaired by the DCE, is the only legally recognized body responsible for coordinating, approving, and supervising development activities within its jurisdiction,” he stated. “All projects must conform to the approved Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) of the district, not to individual campaign promises.”

 

Roles of DCEs and MPs

According to Section 20(1) of Act 936, Mr. Sbaabe noted that the DCE serves as the President’s representative in the district and is responsible for the day-to-day performance of executive and administrative functions.
He stressed that a DCE’s authority is derived from both the President and the Assembly, and not dependent on electoral mandates.

On the role of MPs, he referred to Section 16(1)(a) of the same Act, which allows MPs to participate in Assembly deliberations without voting rights, underscoring their advisory and representational functions.

“Campaign promises, no matter how well-intentioned, do not constitute binding obligations on the District Assembly or the DCE,” Mr. Sbaabe argued.

 

Call for Clarification

Mr. Sbaabe urged the Speaker of Parliament to direct the Committee on Local Government to issue a formal clarification on the respective roles of DCEs and MPs to prevent confusion and ensure harmony in local governance.

He further called on Parliament to reaffirm its commitment to Ghana’s decentralization policy and to provide continuous orientation for committee members on the constitutional and statutory framework governing local administration.

 

Avoiding Politicization of Development

The former DCE warned that allowing MPs’ campaign promises to dictate project siting decisions could politicize development, distort equitable resource allocation, and undermine the authority of District Assemblies.

“Development decisions must remain rooted in law, planning, and community consultation rather than political influence,” he said. “The credibility of Ghana’s decentralization system depends on adherence to these principles.”

Conclusion

Mr. Sbaabe concluded his petition by urging the Speaker to treat the matter with urgency, noting that clarity on the issue would enhance collaboration between MPs and DCEs and strengthen the integrity of Ghana’s local governance structure.

Below is the full Petition: 

PETITION TO THE RT. HON. SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

ON THE NEED TO CLARIFY THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ROLES OF DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Submitted by:
Abass Fuseini Sbaabe
Former District Chief Executive
Fanteakwa District Assembly

Date:…

1. Introduction

Rt. Hon. Speaker,

I respectfully submit this petition to draw your attention to a matter of grave concern regarding a recent statement made by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government, suggesting that Members of Parliament (MPs) should determine where government projects are sited within districts because they are the ones who make campaign promises to the elector…

Tags: Speaker of parliamenttopstory
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Asanko Gold commissions ¢2.3m multipurpose community centre for Manso Nkran

Next Post

Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

YOU MAY LIKE

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)
News

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

A/R: Volunteer group arrest 13 Illegal miners at Adumasa
News

Osei-Owusu decries Galamsey devastation in Asante Bekwai, calls for urgent action

Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene
News

Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence
News

Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts
News

From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

Next Post
Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

Mark Kakraba calls for referendum to scrap multi-party democracy in Ghana

President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

President Mahama to host Grenadian Prime Minister for bilateral talks in Accra

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS

Court adjourns hearing of Akosua Serwaa’s injunction on Daddy Lumba’s funeral to October 28

Court adjourns hearing of Akosua Serwaa’s injunction on Daddy Lumba’s funeral to October 28

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

A/R: Volunteer group arrest 13 Illegal miners at Adumasa

Osei-Owusu decries Galamsey devastation in Asante Bekwai, calls for urgent action

NPP presidential elections committee warns aspirants against intemperate language

NPP presidential elections committee warns aspirants against intemperate language

Movement for Change set to become political party today

Movement for Change set to become political party today

Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

Jobs in Germany await Ghana’s skilled youth, German Ambassador tells Asantehene

Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

Asantehene champions German support to fuel Suame Magazine’s artisan excellence

From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

From Manhyia Palace: Ghana’s King calls for technical support, not handouts

GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

GRIDCo’s 161kV Aboadze–Tarkwa transmission line damaged; repair works underway

Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

Otumfuo declares end of begging, calls for strategic Germany partnership

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
52-Year-old man arrested in Nsawam for possessing suspected EC Biometric Device

52-Year-old man arrested in Nsawam for possessing suspected EC Biometric Device

Ghana Airforce Z-9 Helicopter Goes Missing en Route to Obuasi, Rescue Efforts Underway

Ghana Airforce Z-9 Helicopter Goes Missing en Route to Obuasi, Rescue Efforts Underway

Asokore Mamponhene Nana Boakye Ansah passes away

Asokore Mamponhene Nana Boakye Ansah passes away

EPA CEO calls for Immediate action to restore polluted water bodies in Ashanti region

EPA CEO calls for Immediate action to restore polluted water bodies in Ashanti region

Hello world!

1
NCA promises lower data prices by year-end

NCA promises lower data prices by year-end

1
COVID-19: Information Ministry justifies GHC150K spent on staff

COVID-19: Information Ministry justifies GHC150K spent on staff

1
EC to conduct mop-up registration August 1-3

EC to conduct mop-up registration August 1-3

1
Court adjourns hearing of Akosua Serwaa’s injunction on Daddy Lumba’s funeral to October 28

Court adjourns hearing of Akosua Serwaa’s injunction on Daddy Lumba’s funeral to October 28

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

Alan Kyerematen rebrands Movement for Change as United Party (UP Plus)

A/R: Volunteer group arrest 13 Illegal miners at Adumasa

Osei-Owusu decries Galamsey devastation in Asante Bekwai, calls for urgent action

NPP presidential elections committee warns aspirants against intemperate language

NPP presidential elections committee warns aspirants against intemperate language

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Kumasi Mail

About US

Advertise With US

Submit Station

© 2024 KumasiMail.com