The Minister of Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who fail to meet performance standards will face dismissal by March 31, 2026.
Speaking during a familiarisation visit to the Bono Regional House of Chiefs (BRHC) in Sunyani, the Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to accountability and efficiency in local governance.
According to him, the government’s policies, such as the 24-hour economy, were designed to drive national development and improve the living standards of the people.
He said “Don’t always sit in your office. If you are an MMDCE and you fail to do your work well, by March 31, 2026, you will be sacked” adding that all government officials were working tirelessly to deliver on the government’s mandate.
“All the 60 ministers are working 24/7. The President himself hardly sleeps.
“We were given the mandate to work. As an MMDCE, are you implementing government policies?” Ahmed asked.
He urged the MMDCEs to pay critical attention to sanitation and invest in key infrastructure projects, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, school blocks and agricultural initiatives.
The decision comes amid growing public concern over delays and inefficiencies in local development projects across several districts. Citizens have increasingly called for stricter oversight of local executives to ensure that government initiatives reach intended beneficiaries.
The Minister has reportedly begun reviewing performance reports of MMDCEs nationwide to identify underperforming officials. Measures for improvement, including targeted training and support, are expected to be offered to those falling short before final decisions on dismissal are made.
As March 2026 approaches, attention will be on how many MMDCEs are able to meet the government’s expectations and retain their positions.
Speaking on funding, Ahmed Ibrahim said the government had released the entire 2025 District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to the assemblies, explaining that MMDCEs therefore had no justification to complain about inadequate funds.
He added that the government had also paid the three per cent allocation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and announced that the allocation would be increased to five per cent this year.
