Former MMDCEs Petition President Mahama Over Unpaid End-of-Service Benefits

Introduction: A Humanitarian Appeal from Former Local Government Leaders

In a significant development within Ghana’s political and administrative landscape, a coalition of former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) has submitted a formal, urgent petition to President John Dramani Mahama. The appeal, dated February 16, 2026, demands the immediate release of their End of Service Benefits (ESB), framing the issue as a pressing humanitarian crisis. The petitioners, who served under the previous administration and were relieved of their duties in January 2025, describe severe financial hardship, with many unable to meet their families’ basic needs. This action escalates a year-long dispute over their statutory entitlements and directly invokes a precedent set by the prior government, creating a complex interplay of legal obligation, political reciprocity, and social responsibility. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized examination of the situation, breaking down the key facts, historical context, underlying analysis, and actionable insights for stakeholders in Ghana’s public service ecosystem.

Key Points of the Petition and Current Standoff

The petition, spearheaded by Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akatsi South, encapsulates the core grievances and demands of the former appointees. The following points distill the essential elements of their appeal and the administrative response to date.

Core Demands and Rhetoric

The former MMDCEs are not merely requesting administrative processing; they are appealing directly to the President’s sense of compassion and justice. Their petition characterizes the delayed payments as a humanitarian issue, arguing that their full-time, exclusive service to the state has left them without alternative income streams or personal savings. They explicitly draw a parallel to the actions of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in 2017, which promptly settled the ESB for MMDCEs appointed by President Mahama during his first term. The petitioners assert that the same standard of honorable conduct should now be applied to them, stating, “we deserve this legitimate due.”

Administrative Channels and Stalled Processes

The group confirms it has engaged the Ministry of Local Government, Devolution and Rural Development (formerly Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs). In January, the Ministry issued a response outlining the “processes” required for payment. However, the former executives report that these procedural steps have failed to materialize into actual disbursement of funds, leading to growing frustration and a perception of bureaucratic inertia.

Escalation and Official Communication

By copying the petition to the Chief of Staff and the Minister for Local Government, the former MMDCEs signal their intent to apply pressure across the executive branch. As of the latest reports, the Presidency (Jubilee House) had not issued a public statement regarding the petition, leaving the matter in a state of suspended urgency. The combination of a direct presidential appeal, a cited historical precedent, and highlighted humanitarian impact makes this a politically sensitive issue with potential ramifications for public service morale and inter-party relations.

Background: Understanding the MMDCE Role and Entitlement Framework

To grasp the significance of this petition, one must understand the unique position of MMDCEs within Ghana’s governance structure and the legal basis for their end-of-service benefits.

The Political Nature of the MMDCE Appointment

MMDCEs are the chief executive officers of the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in Ghana. Unlike career civil servants in the Ghana Education Service or Health Service, MMDCEs are political appointees of the President, confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the relevant Assembly. Their tenure is tied to the term of the appointing President and the confidence of the Assembly. This political appointment status is central to the issue: when a new government assumes power, it typically replaces the MMDCEs with its own appointees. This practice, while constitutionally permissible, creates a recurring cohort of former officials whose post-employment benefits must be addressed by the succeeding administration.

Legal and Contractual Basis for End-of-Service Benefits (ESB)

The entitlement to ESB for MMDCEs is not a matter of political grace but is grounded in their contracts of employment and Ghana’s broader public service remuneration framework. Typically, these benefits include:

• Gratuity: A lump-sum payment based on years of service and final emoluments.
• Pension: Contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme, ensuring a monthly pension upon retirement.
• Other Terminal Benefits: May include accrued leave, housing allowances, or other contractual perks.

The Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the conditions of service approved by the Public Services Commission govern these appointments. The state, as the employer, has a legal and contractual obligation to honor these benefits upon the termination of service, regardless of the political circumstances of the termination.

Historical Precedent: The 2017 Settlement

The petitioners’ key argument rests on a clear historical event. Following the 2016 election, President Akufo-Addo’s NPP government inherited hundreds of MMDCEs appointed by the outgoing Mahama administration. In 2017, the new government settled all outstanding ESB for these officials. This act was widely interpreted as a commitment to upholding contractual obligations and ensuring a smooth transition, setting a formal precedent for how incoming administrations should manage the terminal benefits of outgoing political appointees at the local government level.

Analysis: Political Dynamics, Fiscal Realities, and Legal Imperatives

The stalled petition sits at the intersection of several complex forces. A purely political or financial explanation is insufficient; a multi-dimensional analysis is required.

The Politics of Reciprocity and Partisan Norms

The situation presents a classic test of political reciprocity. The NPP’s 2017 decision created an expectation that such benefits are a non-partisan obligation. By not fulfilling the same obligation for the NDC-appointed MMDCEs, the current Mahama administration (assuming a post-2024 electoral victory as implied by the 2026 petition date) risks being accused of partisan retaliation. This could erode norms of democratic transition and encourage future governments to withhold benefits as a punitive measure, destabilizing local governance by making the MMDCE position seem increasingly precarious. The humanitarian framing by the petitioners is a strategic effort to transcend this partisan deadlock by appealing to universal values of fairness and compassion.

Fiscal Constraints and Budgetary Processes

On the other hand, the government may cite macroeconomic challenges. Ghana has faced significant debt distress and fiscal consolidation efforts in recent years. The budget for settling ESB for a large cohort of senior officials is substantial. The Ministry’s reference to “processes” may involve verifying service records, calculating precise entitlements, and, crucially, securing the necessary budgetary allocation. The delay could stem from these administrative and financial