In a bold and uncompromising move, the coalition of NDC Branch Executives in the Greater Accra Region has issued a resounding call to the party’s national leadership to intervene and re-organize the vetting process for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region.

This urgent demand comes in the wake of the coalition’s discovery of an alleged “illegal shortlist” of MMDCE aspirants, which they believe has been manipulated by certain party insiders to impose their preferred candidates.

Animle Oyanka Oshimpa, speaking on behalf of the coalition, has taken a firm stance against what the group describes as an “unlawful and undemocratic” process that undermines the transparency, accountability, and due process that should underpin the governance of local assemblies.

“It is deeply troubling that certain individuals, without the mandate of the appointing authority and in blatant disregard of established procedures, have allegedly engineered the selection process to install their own preferred candidates,” Oshimpa said. “This development raises grave concerns about political interference, favoritism, and the erosion of public trust in the system.”

The coalition’s statement lays bare the crux of the issue, demanding that the government and relevant authorities immediately make public the official list of shortlisted candidates, as well as the criteria used in the selection process.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the coalition has also called for an independent investigation to identify and hold accountable any persons responsible for the alleged manipulation.

Underscoring the critical importance of the MMDCE positions in local governance, the coalition has implored the President, as the appointing authority, to intervene and ensure that only qualified, competent, and duly vetted candidates are considered for these crucial roles.

The group has firmly warned against any attempt at partisan manipulation, stressing that the selection should be based solely on merit, competence, and the will of the people, not the self-serving interests of a select few.

“The National Executives must re-conduct the vetting for each District in Accra to ensure complete transparency,” the statement reads. “Failure to do so will have dire consequences for the party’s fortunes in the region.”

The coalition’s unwavering stance reflects the deep-seated concerns of the NDC’s grassroots activists in the Greater Accra Region, who view the alleged manipulation as a betrayal of the party’s core principles of democratic governance and accountability.

They have vowed to resist any attempt to impose unqualified or illegally shortlisted candidates, and have called on all well-meaning Ghanaians, civil society organizations, and political stakeholders to join them in safeguarding the integrity of local governance structures.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the spotlight now shifts to the party’s national executives, who are under immense pressure to respond swiftly and decisively to the coalition’s demands.

The outcome of this crisis will not only determine the future of local governance in the Greater Accra Region but could also have far-reaching implications for the NDC’s electoral prospects in the region and beyond.Source:John Awuni