Over 130 sacked MMDCEs demand unpaid benefits from Finance Ministry

More than a hundred former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives are demanding the government settle outstanding terminal benefits they say they are owed, in what they describe as a clear case of administrative unfairness.

The 134 former MMDCEs, who were appointed under the NPP administration but not reappointed when President Akufo-Addo began his second term, have formally petitioned Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson over the unpaid entitlements. The group, represented by Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, a former Metropolitan Chief Executive for Akatsi South, left office in October 2021 without receiving the benefits to which they claim entitlement.

According to the petition, these former officials were initially kept in their positions at the start of the second term whilst the government processed nominations for new MMDCEs. When 134 of them were not selected for reappointment, they exited their posts without any terminal benefits package.

The fairness question at the heart of the dispute

The former MMDCEs argue their case rests on a simple principle of equity. Those who were renominated for a second term received terminal benefits covering the period from January 2021 to October 2021, the overlap period when both groups held office. The 134 who departed in October 2021 received nothing for the same period of service.

In their petition, the group stressed that they performed their duties during the transition period and should not be penalised financially simply because they were not selected to continue beyond that point. They characterise the situation as an administrative oversight and have appealed to the Finance Ministry to recognise the legitimacy of their claim.

The petitioners expressed initial hope that they would receive their benefits alongside their successors at the end of the second term, but were disappointed when only the reappointed MMDCEs received payment. The exclusion, they argue, is particularly unjust given that they served during an identical timeframe for which their colleagues received compensation.

Why it matters for Ghana's local governance

This dispute touches on broader concerns about how Ghana treats public sector employees transitioning out of office. Terminal benefits represent earned compensation for service rendered, not a discretionary gift. When government institutions fail to honour these obligations consistently, it undermines trust in public administration and creates uncertainty for those who serve in temporary or appointed positions.

The case also reflects potential gaps in institutional memory and payroll management within the Finance Ministry. With over 130 affected individuals and a clear documentation of service periods, the mechanics of settling these claims should theoretically be straightforward. The fact that the matter remains unresolved nearly three years after October 2021 suggests either bureaucratic delay or a deliberate withholding of funds.

For Ghana's broader civil service and appointive positions—which include numerous roles across MMDCEs, regional ministers, and other senior posts—consistency in benefits administration is essential. If government selectively pays benefits based on reappointment status rather than actual service rendered, it sets a troubling precedent for future transitions of power.

The petitioners have appealed to Dr. Ato Forson to review their case sympathetically and authorise payment. Whether the Finance Ministry will grant their request remains to be seen, but the matter highlights the need for clearer protocols governing terminal benefits in Ghana's public sector.