A recent national survey conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has disclosed substantial public backing for non-partisan elections of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). There is a pronounced preference for candidates to submit their applications individually rather than being nominated by political leaders.
The follow-up survey, which took place across all 16 regions from October 3 to 20, 2025, included a sample of 1,311 Ghanaians aged 18 and older.
The results indicate that 71.37% of participants prefer MMDCE candidates to apply as individuals, reflecting an increasing demand for a citizen-driven, merit-based selection process at the local government level.
Only 15.7% of those surveyed favored presidential nominations for candidates, while 12.98% supported nominations through assembly structures—highlighting a notable shift away from political gatekeeping in decentralized governance.
The IEA states that this trend illustrates a growing public discontent with political interference in local administration and a strong call for reforms that redefine the exercise of power at the district level.
“The findings highlight Ghanaians’ aspiration for enhanced autonomy and accountability in local governance,” remarked the IEA. “Citizens desire MMDCEs who are selected based on their competence rather than their party affiliation or presidential influence.”
Participants also stressed that individual applications would enhance transparency and diminish political patronage in district leadership.
Ghana has long been engaged in discussions regarding whether MMDCEs should be elected, appointed, or selected through hybrid systems. The IEA’s most recent data indicates that the public’s desire for entirely non-partisan elections has significantly grown since the last national consultations in 2019.
These findings emerge at a time when various stakeholders—including civil society organizations and advocates for decentralization—are urging a renewed national dialogue on constitutional reforms that would facilitate a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s local governance framework.
Over seventy percent of Ghanaians support a transparent and competitive selection process, which is anticipated to increase the pressure on policymakers to reconsider delayed reforms and allow citizens to have a direct say in the leadership at the district level.
