RAS MUBARAK: APPOINTING DCES AND MCES FOR PARTY REASONS IS DESTROYING DEVELOPMENT

Leader of the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign, Ras Mubarak, has issued a strong call for sweeping reforms in Ghana’s local governance system, warning that the continued practice of appointing District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) is stifling true grassroots development.

Sharing his reflections on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, after completing an extraordinary 163-day road trip across 39 African countries, Mubarak praised Ghana’s potential but lamented that deep-rooted systemic flaws are holding the nation back from real progress.

“The challenge for us in Africa is that we beat ourselves a lot on some of the things. And if you are Ghanaian, you just have to travel to other countries to see what a beautiful country Ghana is, even though we could be doing a lot better than we are doing,” he observed.

He criticised the appointment model for local government leadership, stressing that political loyalty often takes precedence over competence.

“There is no way you can get it right with local governance if you keep appointing DCEs and MCEs in a manner that we do in Ghana. This is because the person has zero experience; his claim to fame is that he is a party person and was appointed. You think such a person can seriously advance a community’s sanitation issues or bring in investments? It is not going to happen,” he argued.

Mr. Mubarak insisted that reforming the system is key to ensuring local governments can attract investment, address basic needs, and drive real development.

Beyond Appointments: The Deeper Challenge of Corruption

While Mubarak’s critique shines a light on a flawed governance model, others believe the problem goes beyond the appointment or even election of DCEs and MCEs. Ghana’s biggest challenge may not simply be about how leaders are selected, but about who they are and the values they bring into office.

Even if DCEs and MCEs were elected directly by the people based on competence or from across different political parties, the story could remain the same if corruption persists. The decay in governance, many argue, is rooted in the erosion of patriotism and love for the country. Too often, individuals rise to power not with the vision to serve, but with a hunger for personal gain.

This lack of integrity has left the system heavily flawed. For real transformation to happen, Ghana needs more than reforms on paper, it needs a renewal of leadership values. The dirt of corruption must be cleaned out of the system, and that process will demand not just policies, but also strong, selfless leadership.

Ultimately, meaningful change will require an excellent leader who can combine discipline, vision, and, as some would argue, divine guidance to steer the nation toward a new path. Until then, the debate over appointed versus elected DCEs and MCEs may only scratch the surface of Ghana’s governance woes.