Local Government Expert, Dr. Frederick Oduro, has suggested that President Akufo-Addo’s decision to dismiss twenty-four District Chief Executives (DCEs) is likely linked to the upcoming general elections.
While the president is not obligated to provide reasons for these decisions, Dr. Oduro speculates that such moves may have been made in consultation with party leadership.
President Akufo-Addo removed the appointments of DCEs, including Isaac Kwadwo Boabeng of Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Daniel Alexander Nii-Noi Adumua of Adentan, in accordance with constitutional and legislative provisions.
“I write to inform you that I have revoked the appointment of the following as District Chief Executives.
“I respectfully request that you give immediate effect to my directive. I will, under a separate cover, write to you to nominate their replacement.”
Dr. Oduro, speaking on TV3’s Weekend Central, stated, “It is almost certainly related to the upcoming general elections in November and December.”
He suggested that, based on the ongoing political landscape, the dismissals might be connected to certain DCEs not supporting the president’s favored candidates in parliamentary primaries.
Dr. Oduro emphasized that the president, though not obliged to disclose reasons, likely made these decisions with some level of consultation within the NPP party, as indicated by statements from a former General Secretary.
Ultimately, however, the prerogative for such appointments lies with the president.
“It is almost certainly related to the upcoming general elections.
“Ultimately I believe that the decision by the president to revoke these appointments has so much to do with the upcoming general elections in November and December.
“The interesting part is that the president is under no obligation to give reasons for his appointment, neither is he required to give reasons for revocation of appointment.
So at this point, we can only look at what is happening in the system and based on that assessment it will not be far-fetched to include that certain MMDCEs chose not to support the president’s favorites [in the parliamentary primaries]. However, I don’t think the president will take these decisions without some level of consultation within the NPP as a party because if you have a whole former General Secretary to come out to talk about the fact that some people feel tired and they must be relieved, it presupposes that the party itself might have had a hand in those who should stay and those who should leave. But of course the prerogative lies with the president.”