President John Dramani Mahama has issued an official directive revoking the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), as well as appointed Assembly Members across Ghana. The decision, dated January 8, 2025, marks a significant shift in local governance under the new administration.
Details of the Directive
- Revocation of MMDCE Appointments
- The appointments of Chief Executives overseeing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been formally revoked.
- Revocation of Appointed Assembly Members
- All Assembly Members appointed under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by the Local Governance (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940), are also affected by this directive.
Interim Leadership
To ensure the continued functioning of MMDAs, Coordinating Directors of the respective Assemblies have been directed to assume responsibility as acting Chief Executives until substantive appointments are made.
The directive, signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, calls for immediate compliance from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development.
Administrative Transition
This move is seen as part of President Mahama’s broader strategy to realign local governance leadership with his administration’s vision and priorities. It reflects the new government’s commitment to building a more efficient and accountable decentralized governance structure. 
Excerpts from the Directive
“In the interim, the respective Coordinating Directors of the various MMDAs are directed to assume responsibility as acting Chief Executives until substantive appointments are duly made.”
Next Steps
The Ministry of Local Government has been tasked with ensuring the smooth transition of authority within the affected Assemblies. Substantive appointments are expected to follow in due course, reflecting the administration’s goal of streamlining governance and improving service delivery at the local level.
Implications for Local Governance
This revocation serves as a reset for local government leadership across Ghana, paving the way for fresh appointments aligned with the Mahama administration’s development agenda. Observers anticipate announcements regarding new leadership that will focus on decentralization, accountability, and community-centered governance.
This significant administrative overhaul signals the start of a new chapter for Ghana’s local governance structure under President Mahama.
Refer to the Directive Below:
