From the outside, Accra may look like a normal African city. But upon closer inspection, it’s plagued with mounting problems.
The city’s traffic congestion has worsened, with poor sanitation leading to worsening flooding in specific areas within the city.
So, who is to blame for Accra’s worsening conditions?
The easiest culprit to point a finger at is the central government. But that’s just an easy target.
There needs to be more accountability and a better way for the city to self-govern.
This is why Accra needs to start the process of electing its own mayor.
Currently, the city’s mayor is appointed by the President. Although the practice has been set in stone since independence and appears to be the most efficient, it lacks merit.
Accra currently has over five million residents, but can’t hold their mayor directly accountable because they are politically appointed.
That needs to change.
The Problem with Appointments
When mayors are politically appointed, their loyalty tends to lie with the political party that put them there.
Therefore, their political survival relies more on their party staying in office than getting mass approval from the residents of the city to continue to serve. That creates a disconnect.
If Accra residents had the power to elect a mayor, they would have a direct mandate from the people and not owe allegiance solely to their political party.
Elected mayors would be forced to answer directly to residents about local concerns, including waste management, traffic, public transportation and housing.
If they fail to perform to satisfaction, residents would wield the power to vote them out.
In jurisdictions like New York, London, and Rome, mayors are either elected or have more autonomy to act on behalf of their residents.
Why can’t Accra have the same?
An elected mayor with executive powers could appoint their own team, raise local revenue, and set the agenda for development.
By having a direct manager of the city, there could be better focus on the issues escalating in Accra, and not have the distractions of political lobbying for positions.
The People Must Decide
Accra is currently home to a large portion of Ghana’s tax base, a large business community, and global international footprint. Local elections should be established to empower citizens to choose who should govern them.
In 2019, the Akufo-Addo government proposed a referendum to amend Article 55(3) of the Constitution to allow political parties to sponsor candidates in local elections—a step toward electing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), including mayors.
However, it was cancelled due to a lack of political consensus and a desire to avoid deepening partisan division at the local level.
It’s time to revisit the conversation on local government reform and push for the direct election of city mayors and other positions, starting with Accra.
The current governance model is outdated and needs a fresh coat of paint. If the people of Accra are trusted enough to vote for a president, they should also be trusted to vote for a mayor.
Accra deserves better. Make Accra great again.
