The Chamber for Local Governance (ChaLoG) has firmly rejected a proposal to extend the tenure of Presiding Members (PMs) of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) from the current two years to four years.
The proposal—led by Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu argues that the existing two-year mandate is too short for PMs to deliver substantial results or build a meaningful legacy. According to Mr. Gunu, a four-year term would give PMs the stability and time required to implement initiatives effectively without the disruption of frequent elections.
ChaLoG Says Extension Would Undermine Fairness
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, ChaLoG President Dr. Richard Fiadomor warned that the proposed extension would concentrate power in the hands of a single individual for too long, potentially undermining democratic balance at the local level.
“Some people are pushing this agenda because they compare the PM’s role to that of the Speaker of Parliament. But the Speaker is not, in themselves, a Member of Parliament, even though MPs elect them. Based on this principle, a PM who is a member of the Assembly cannot be given a four-year mandate,” Dr. Fiadomor explained.
While acknowledging that electing PMs can be difficult due to the legal requirement that they secure a two-thirds majority of the Assembly, Dr. Fiadomor insisted that the shorter term promotes accountability and prevents one person from monopolising the position.
“Because of the challenges we’ve faced in electing a PM—which, for me, is quite normal—some argue that once you go through the headache of electing one, you should not have to repeat the process until four years later. That is the main driver behind this proposal,” he said.
Presiding Members serve as the chairpersons of Assembly meetings, ensuring proceedings follow established rules and that resolutions are effectively carried out. They are elected from among the Assembly members and play a critical role in coordinating deliberations, representing the Assembly in ceremonial functions, and safeguarding democratic processes.
Under current law, PMs serve for two years and may seek re-election, a system that ChaLoG believes strikes the right balance between stability and democratic accountability.
The debate over the extension is expected to intensify in the coming months, as proponents and opponents make their case to both the Ministry of Local Government and Parliament.
