CHIEF EXECUTIVES IN NR SWORN INTO OFFICE (PAGE 13)

SEVENTEEN Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Northern Region have been sworn into office at a ceremony in Tamale with a call on them to guard against conflict of interest and corruption for the accelerated development of their respective districts.
They took the oath of office, secrecy and allegiance administered by the Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina in line with Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act 462.
There were, however, no representatives for the Savelugu-Nanton, Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo and Gushegu districts as their respective nominees had been rejected by their assemblies.
Traditional rulers, heads of departments and assembly members attended the ceremony.
Mr Nayina cautioned the MMDCEs against engaging in conflicts with Members of Parliament (MPs) and traditional rulers in their respective districts.
“You must address the needs and aspirations of the people to justify the confidence reposed in you; if any DCE wants to enter Parliament, he or she must let us know of it else we would remove you from office”, he further warned.
“MMDCEs have a responsibility to respond and address the needs of the people with dispatch and adopt an open door policy in your administration”, the minister stressed.
Mr Nayina advised the chief executives to avoid interfering in chieftaincy matters, adding that as MMDCEs, their major concern should be the maintenance of law and order.
“I also implore you to display transparency and accountability in your administration in order to win the confidence of the people and respect for yourself”, he emphasised.
The Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Joseph Dasanah, entreated MMDCEs to “stand firm and persevere until success is achieved”.
A Member of the Council of State, Kpan-Naa Mohammed Bawah, who chaired the function, congratulated the MMDCEs and urged them to help unite and mobilise the people, traditional rulers and civil society groups for the accelerated development of their respective areas.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President and the people for the confidence reposed in them.
He on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to discharge their duties effectively.
“We would live up to expectation and we are prepared to serve our people; we would not rest on our oars”, he stated.