Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has expressed serious concern over the growing tension between Members of Parliament (MPs) and District Chief Executives (DCEs), warning that their rivalry is undermining development efforts in the region.

Speaking to journalists, Dr. Amoakohene described the strained relationship between the two groups as “unhealthy and counterproductive,” emphasizing that their lack of cooperation is slowing down key projects and disrupting coordination at the district level.

“The rivalry and the fact that they are not on very good terms will hinder the approval of the District Assemblies Common Fund, which is meant for the MPs. Some even use that as an avenue to settle personal scores,” he lamented.

According to the Regional Minister, this ongoing friction has affected the smooth implementation of government programmes, particularly those that rely on collaboration between MPs, who represent the people, and DCEs, who serve as the government’s local administrators.

He revealed that in several districts, poor communication and mistrust between MPs and DCEs have led to confusion and duplication of responsibilities, stalling important community development projects.

“In some areas, because they may not understand each other, one side pretends not to be aware of what the other is doing. This creates unnecessary delays. For local governance to work effectively, all stakeholders must work in harmony,” Dr. Amoakohene stressed.

He cautioned that if the situation persists, it could derail the government’s broader development agenda for the Ashanti Region, where infrastructure, education, and health projects are already facing implementation challenges.

Dr. Amoakohene therefore appealed to both MPs and DCEs to prioritise collaboration over competition, urging them to focus on the shared goal of improving livelihoods in their constituencies and districts.

“Development should not be about who takes credit. It should be about service to the people. We can only make progress if we work together,” he concluded.