The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that the current batch of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama will be the last group of appointed local government heads.

According to him, beginning next year, MMDCEs will be elected as part of ongoing constitutional reforms being undertaken by the Constitutional Review Committee.

He disclosed that the committee is expected to submit its report to the President soon, after which a national referendum will be held to allow Ghanaians to decide on the amendment.

Speaking on the Ghana Yensom Morning Show on Accra 100.5 FM on Monday, September 8, 2025, Mr. Ibrahim—who also serves as the NDC Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency—said President Mahama has expressed his commitment to empowering citizens to elect their local leaders at the district level.

On the broader work of his Ministry, Mr. Ibrahim explained that it operates through a three-pronged approach, engaging with chieftaincy, religious bodies, and local government structures, including both elected and appointed Assembly Members.

He revealed that, as part of this strategy, the President—through the Ministry—has promised to establish special sanitation courts for chiefs to effectively handle sanitation-related cases within their jurisdictions.

The Minister further urged chiefs and the general public to actively support the National Sanitation Day initiative, stressing that community participation is key to addressing the country’s sanitation challenges.