BY Issah Olegor
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has delivered a strong rebuke to metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives (MMDCEs) in the region, accusing some of them of abandoning their responsibilities and turning their offices into hubs for political party activities rather than centers of development.
Ocloo, who addressed the media in Accra on Thursday, August 28, 2025, described the conduct of some of the government appointees as “unacceptable, an abuse of office, and a betrayal of public trust.”
Turning Public Offices into Party Grounds
According to the Regional Minister, her office had received credible reports that some MMDCEs were using their official offices as meeting places for party operatives and political loyalists while neglecting their core duties.
“I have reports that many of you have turned your official offices into party meeting grounds, filling them with unauthorised officials and visitors, while your staff, the very people who are supposed to lead, are denied access to discuss official matters. This is abuse of office and unacceptable,” she stated firmly.
Her remarks highlight a long-running concern in Ghanaian politics, where state resources are often accused of being diverted for partisan ends.
Successive governments have struggled to curb the perception that MMDCEs, who are appointed by the President, prioritize party work over local development.
Sleeping on the Job
Ocloo did not mince words in describing the performance of some executives as disappointing. She accused them of “sleeping on the job” and warned that she would not hesitate to report underperforming officials directly to President John Dramani Mahama.
“I am extremely disappointed with the level of inefficiency and complacency being exhibited by some of our Chief Executives. At this stage, excuses are nothing but an embarrassment to the people we serve,” she charged.
She stressed that leadership was not about enjoying the perks of office but delivering results in line with President Mahama’s agenda of “resetting Ghana for a better future.”
Criticism of Personal Assistants
The Regional Minister also raised concerns about the increasing use of personal assistants by MMDCEs to handle official assignments.
She described the practice as an illegitimate delegation of authority that undermines accountability.
“Some of you have surrounded yourselves with personal assistants who have virtually taken over your official responsibilities. This must stop immediately. Assemblies cannot be run by any unelected, unapproved and unappointed individuals hiding behind your authority,” she said.
