Mills snubs people demanding DCEs’ dismissal

President Atta Mills         President John Evans Atta Mills has indicated that he will not be influenced by calls by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to dismiss some District Executives (DCEs) for alleged nonperformance. "What the President would do or not do about DCEs would be determined by how well or not well they perform," Mr Koku Anyidoho, Director of Communication at the Presidency, said. He made the President's reaction known to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the last batch of DCEs in the Northern Region on Tuesday. Mr Anyidoho said the President made his sentiments known when responding to questions at the meeting about calls by some party supporters to dismiss some DCEs for non-performance. Mr. Anyidoho who described the meeting as a frank encounter between the President and the DCEs. President Mills, however, charged the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to be more innovative and proactive in addressing development challenges of the people. He warned that he would not entertain under-performance by his appointees. He charged them to think outside the box, explaining that there was the need for the executives, as leaders in the various districts, to lead the way for vigorous national growth. President Mills, who met the 22 District and Metropolitan Chief Executives in two batches on Monday and Tuesday behind closed doors as part of his two day visit to the region, also charged them to ensure judicious use of state resources, making it clear to his appointees that he would not hesitate to dismiss those who misused allocated resources. The President reminded them that they were appointed on the basis of their expertise and, therefore, much was expected of them. The success of the government, he said, depended largely on development progress made at the grassroots, and the government was expecting the DCEs to effectively implement development projects. "Your performance is critical," Mr Anyidoho quoted the President as saying. According to him, the chief executives, for their part, made their challenges known to the President, and called for more collaboration and support from central government. Source: Ghanaian Times