Electing DCE's: Good For Ghanaian Democracy's Future

Author's note: This was written on 12/3/2013. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day.






 Knowing the hostility of some Ghanaian politicians (from across the spectrum) to the idea of bringing democracy to the grassroots level, by electing District Chief Executives, President Mahama's National Democratic Congress administration must be commended for helping to bring about  a positive new development in Ghanaian politics.


The constitutional amendment that now makes possible  the   election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District chief executives will deepen Ghanaian democracy - because it will make the concerns of local people the focal point of the work of politicians at the grassroots level.


However, it does not go far enough. To make  Ghanaian democracy truly benefit ordinary people,  the  election of DCE's ought to be on a party basis.


As a leadership training ground, serving ordinary people at the local level will endow  our nation with a pool of experienced elected politicians with proven track records -  from which some of those who  serve at the national level can be selected.


If done on a party basis, it will also end the negativity that the  winner-takes-all politics practised here represents -  an unsatisfactory state of affairs responsible for the  never-ending political tension that has  unfortunately ended up  polarising  Ghanaian society.


And if candidates of  opposition  parties could be  elected as chief executives to run some of the areas administered by Ghana's Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, those parties would  feel that they also had a stake in the running of Ghana.


Above all, there would  be competition amongst the political parties at the grassroots level - which would  ensure that local leaders respond to the needs of local people.


Local communities would  also feel empowered politically - and finally feel  able to take their destiny into their own hands every four years: and obtain their share of the democracy-dividend.


And far from sabotaging the government of the day, as critics of the idea of electing DCE's on a party basis maintain,  opposition political parties   would   rather work hard to improve the quality of life of local people in the areas administered by their winning candidates in elections for the position of chief executive of  Metropolitan, Municipal and  District Assemblies.


That would   bring about    sustainable development in the areas under their jurisdiction  -   to which they could  point to,  during campaigns for parliamentary and presidential  elections, as examples of what they would  achieve at the national level  for Ghanaians. That can only be good for the long-term future of  Ghanaian democracy.


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