President John Dramani Mahama has instructed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to conduct bi‑annual town‑hall meetings in their respective jurisdictions. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aims to bring the government’s transparency and accountability agenda from the national and regional levels down to local communities.
The MMDA Accountability Series will provide a structured platform for MMDCEs to report to citizens on the implementation of government policies and programmes at the local level. The meetings, held twice a year, will cover performance against the approved Medium‑Term Development Plan and Annual Action Plan, implementation of flagship programmes, utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and other public resources.
Other topics will include infrastructure and development projects, sanitation and waste management, education, health, social protection, local economic development, revenue mobilisation and expenditure management. MMDCEs will also account for employment, youth development and skills programmes, interventions for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, security and disaster management, the status of Assembly commitments and projects, and challenges requiring intervention from the Regional and national levels.
The directive requires each MMDCE to present priorities and commitments for the next implementation period, giving citizens an opportunity to assess past performance and planned interventions. It also calls for broad‑based participation, including traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, Unit Committee representatives, religious leaders, organised labour, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, persons with disabilities, market associations, business groups, professional associations, development partners, community‑based organisations, the media and the general public.
All affected MMDAs are to commence preparations immediately and organise their accountability sessions within a period to be communicated by the Regional Coordinating Councils, preferably after the Presidential Accountability Series in each region. The Regional Coordinating Councils will coordinate and monitor the exercise, ensuring participation and assessing the quality and inclusiveness of the engagements. The Ministry will also undertake monitoring visits or participate in selected engagements as part of its oversight responsibilities.
The Ministry described the exercise as a “priority accountability and citizen‑engagement assignment” and urged MMDCEs to personally lead the process in their jurisdictions. “The Ministry looks forward to a comprehensive, open and citizen‑centred engagement that will deepen accountability and strengthen public confidence in local governance,” it said. MMDAs have also been directed to make appropriate budgetary arrangements within their approved budgets and in accordance with applicable financial management procedures to facilitate the organisation of the engagements.
