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Only 34 women representing about 16 percent made it to list of 212 District Chief Executive (DCE) nominees by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development which released the list of nominees, said it will be the last such act by the president pending constitutional reforms to get DCEs, metropolitan and municipal chief executives elected by their constituents.

The Ashanti region with the highest number of districts, 29, has four women nominated, while the Greater Accra region, with 15 districts and represents one of the regions with the least number of districts, has five. The Brong Ahafo Region, with 27 districts, has the highest women nominees of six.

A statement issued by the sector minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, described the nominees as “capable men and women with expertise, experience and temperament to head the Assemblies and inspire a new era of rapid development in our country.”

“It is natural that those who were shortlisted and vetted by the President’s Committee had high expectations that they will be appointed to serve the nation as Chief Executives of the Assemblies and be the chief representatives of the central government in their districts. But, it is obvious that only one person can serve in that capacity in every Assembly. The President is grateful to all persons who showed keen interest in this exercise and indicated their availability for this important office.

“It is the wish of the President that those who were not named will appreciate that there are other positions they may be called upon to serve in the interest of the nation. This is the time for solidarity and focus on overcoming the great challenges that confront our nation so we can build together the prosperous, thriving Ghana we all desire.

“It is the expectation of the President that this will be the last time Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives will be appointed in this manner. The time has come for the expansion of local democracy to provide for their direct election by the people of their districts. This was the pledge of the NPP manifesto. Government is to begin the process of amending the Constitution, and putting in place the necessary measures to ensure the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives. The President, from henceforth, will have no hand in their appointment. That power will be reserved to the people.”

The nominees will require the approval of no less than two-thirds majority of members of the various assemblies voting at meetings expected in the coming weeks.