The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has criticised the recent unrest surrounding the nomination of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
He noted that most of these protests are not based on actual nominations but rather on people’s suspicions and assumptions.
Ibrahim questioned why individuals are demonstrating over appointments that have not yet been made or officially announced, suggesting that such actions imply they already believe someone else is more qualified than them.
He was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an engagement with key leaders of major Christian religious institutions in Accra on Tuesday April 19.
The meeting formed part of broader consultations with faith-based organisations aimed at galvanising national support and fostering community participation for the success of the National Sanitation Day (NSD) initiative.
The Minister emphasised that the decision on who gets nominated lies solely with the President, and his own role in the process is complete.
He added that instead of protesting, people should commend the President for swiftly forming his cabinet, Council of State, and appointing MMDCEs in record time.
“I don’t see chaos as we are saying it. People are agitating…Thankfully, it is not from where the news announcement have been made. It is where people’s suspicion is being on suspense and I could hear of only Mampong…Ashanti Region, we’ve not mentioned the MMDCEs from Ashanti Region. It’s only Kumasi Mayor that has been mentioned. So if you are in Asante Mampong, and you are demonstrating, what are you demonstrating for?
“It’s like you’re going for exams and you know you couldn’t write and you are crying that the examiner will fail you. Wait till the examiner brings the results. When the results are out and you fail, then that one you can say you can question and call for remarking. But the results are not out and you are crying that the examiner is going to fail you.
“You come to Tema Central. Tema Central is in Greater Accra. Greater Accra has not been mentioned. So why should somebody be crying that somebody’s else good? It’s like you know that that person beat you or is better than you…As a minister, I’m done with the work. The work is with the president.”