Electing local government chief executives in Ghana: challenges and prospects in a developing country context

The desire to deepen accountability, participatory democracy, and enhance development at the local government level has gained momentum on all fronts of Ghana’s national discourse. This has resulted in the intense call for a relook at the criteria for selecting Local Government Chief Executives in Ghana, as the first point in search of the ways to ensure accountability, strengthen local democracy and promote local development. This study set out to examine the possible implications of the election of MMDCEs on local development in Ghana in the context of a developing country. The study used the qualitative approach to data collection and a descriptive design for analysis. In-depth interviews were used for data collection, and a thematic approach to data presentation and analysis. Using sociological institutionalism as a theoretical perspective, the study discussed the need for the election of MMDCEs and its possible implications for local development in Ghana, but with insights for other developing countries. The study found a strong expression of support for the election of MMDCEs as a panacea for local development and for strengthening local democracy and ensuring accountability at the grassroots in Ghana in the developing country context.