Why 3 DCEs Were Fired

Details emerging from the dismissal of three District Chief Executives by the President show that the officials were relieved of their posts on the grounds of inefficiency, maladministration and alleged acts of corruption.

A statement issued from the Presidency announced the dismissal of the DCEs of Jomoro in the Western Region - Ketiboa Blay, Mfantsiman in the Central Region - Kofi Wilson and Jasikan in the Volta Region - Sam Baidu Kelele. But no reasons were assigned.

However JOY FM enquiries have revealed that the Presidency has been quite unhappy about the general conduct of the DCEs, following reports of inefficiency and poor performance.

In the case of the DCE for the Jomoro District, Ketiboa Blay, JOY FM gathered that the Presidency was incensed by reports of his failure to show decorum in his dealings with his constituents claiming to have the support of the President in his actions, thereby causing disaffection for the President. Sources alleged that the DCE?s poor relationship led to rows with security officials and even party members and in one instance ordered their arrest.

According to the sources, countless meetings at the Castle called by the President to resolve the impasse between the DCE and his constituents failed to resolve the issues.

In the case of the Mfanstiman DCE, Kofi Wilson, the sources said his dismissal was inspired by reports of a disagreement over a ?424 million fraudulent contract he awarded to himself. The contract for the construction of the Saltpond Market was one out of nine the DCE allegedly awarded to himself fraudulently.

The fraud investigated and reported by the Crusading Guide, established that the DCE secured a building certificate belonging to some other person named as Adusei to create the impression that it was that person undertaking the Saltpond Market project. The project involved over ?424 million.

It was the most expensive among nine projects currently ongoing in the Mfantsiman District. Unfortunately, three out of 12 young men employed to demolish the old structures of the market died when a portion of the concrete slab collapsed on them.

The sources could however not ascribe immediately any reasons for the dismissal of the Jasikan District DCE, Sam Baidoo Kelele. JOY FM inquiries are continuing. However, they indicated that more dismissals are in the pipeline on the basis of inefficiency, maladministration and causing disaffection for the President.