The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has delivered a stern ultimatum to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) within her jurisdiction: repair all faulty streetlights within two weeks. This directive, issued during a media engagement in Accra with all MMDCEs present, underscores the Minister’s growing concern over the widespread malfunctioning of streetlights across the region, impacting public safety and hindering the government’s pursuit of a 24-hour economy. To facilitate this repair initiative, the Minister announced the procurement of 3,000 streetlights in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, with each assembly slated to receive 100 units. However, she emphasized the responsibility of the assemblies to supplement this allocation with additional purchases to ensure comprehensive coverage and eliminate the pervasive darkness plaguing the region. The Minister’s ultimatum carries a strong warning, promising personal monitoring of the directive and exposure of any chief executive who fails to comply. She characterized inaction as a demonstration of incompetence and unfit leadership, explicitly stating that those unable to manage such basic tasks are unfit to hold office.
Madam Ocloo’s address broadened beyond faulty streetlights, encompassing wider concerns regarding sanitation challenges and the uncontrolled proliferation of illegal billboards. She characterized these issues as symptomatic of neglect and a failure of leadership within certain assemblies. The Minister dismissed excuses offered by these officials, labeling them an embarrassment to the constituents they serve. She underscored the fundamental role of leadership, emphasizing that it entails delivering tangible results rather than passively enjoying the privileges of office. In her view, many MMDCEs were “sleeping on their jobs” and neglecting their core responsibilities to the public. The Minister connected the issue of functioning streetlights to broader societal goals, highlighting their importance not only as basic infrastructure but as crucial components for public safety, urban order, and the facilitation of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
Furthermore, the Minister addressed allegations of abuses of office by some MMDCEs. One particular concern involved the inappropriate delegation of official duties to personal assistants. Madam Ocloo cautioned against this practice, clarifying that the role of personal assistants is strictly limited to schedule management, time organization, and administrative support. She unequivocally stated that personal assistants are not authorized to approve official documents or represent MMDCEs at official meetings. This practice, she declared, must cease immediately. The Minister underscored the principle of accountability and the importance of elected officials fulfilling their mandated duties.
Another area of concern highlighted by the Minister was the alleged misuse of assembly offices for partisan political activities. She expressed disapproval of reports indicating that some MMDCEs were transforming their official offices into venues for party meetings, prioritizing unauthorized party officials and visitors while denying access to assembly staff needing to discuss official matters. This practice, she asserted, constitutes an abuse of office and is unacceptable. The Minister delivered a clear and unambiguous message: This practice must end now, and any individual continuing this behavior will face serious repercussions.
The Minister’s address serves as a clear call for accountability and improved performance from the MMDCEs. It stresses the fundamental responsibilities of local government leadership: maintaining essential public services like street lighting and sanitation, respecting the boundaries of office and authority, and prioritizing the needs of the public over partisan political activities. The two-week ultimatum for streetlight repairs coupled with the strong warning against abuses of office signals the Minister’s commitment to holding local government officials accountable and ensuring effective service delivery to the citizens of the Greater Accra Region.
In essence, the Minister’s message centered on three core issues: action on faulty streetlights, curbing misuse of office by MMDCEs, and addressing broader issues of neglect and lack of leadership within some assemblies. The Minister underscored the importance of streetlights for public safety and the 24-hour economy, providing both resources and a strict deadline for their repair. She addressed concerns about the inappropriate delegation of official duties to personal assistants and the misuse of assembly offices for partisan activities, emphasizing the need for MMDCEs to uphold the integrity of their office and prioritize their official responsibilities. Finally, the Minister criticized what she perceived as general neglect and a lack of leadership within some assemblies, urging them to address crucial issues such as sanitation and illegal billboards, emphasizing that excuses are unacceptable and that tangible results are the true measure of leadership.
