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…
