By Christopher Arko, GNA
Accra, Sept. 24, GNA – Professor Joseph Atsu Ayee of the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, has acknowledged the progress made in Ghana’s decentralisation system but says significant weaknesses remain within the local governance architecture, hindering meaningful local autonomy, accountability and responsiveness.
He made the observation at a Citizens’ Forum organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with Oxfam, on the theme: “Constitutional Reform and Democratic Decentralisation in Ghana: The Way Forward for Local Governance.”
Speaking on the topic: “Reforming Decentralisation to Deepen Autonomy, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana,” Prof Ayee, a renowned scholar on local governance, noted that Ghana had made considerable progress in establishing the institutional foundations of decentralisation, particularly through the creation of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
However, he pointed out that a number of persistent challenges continued to undermine the effectiveness of the system.
Prof. Ayee said frequent shifts in government policies over the years had affected the consistency and sustainability of decentralisation reforms.
He argued that, in many MMDAs, Ghana’s decentralisation framework remained largely theoretical rather than practical.
The result, he said, was a governance system that remained heavily centralised despite its decentralised structure.
Prof Ayee emphasised the need to move beyond merely maintaining decentralised institutions to creating a system in which local authorities had genuine decision-making powers, adequate resources and stronger accountability to the people they serve.
“Meaningful decentralisation will require a fundamental reform of the architecture that governs local power, participation, representation and accountability in Ghana,” he stated.
His remarks come at a critical time in Ghana’s democratic development, as reforms to the country’s local governance system are being considered under the Constitution Review process, initiated by President John Dramani Mahama.
Against that backdrop, the forum brought together citizens, civil society organisations, governance practitioners, researchers, local government officials, political actors and other stakeholders to assess the current state of Ghana’s decentralisation system and explore reforms needed to make local governance more responsive, accountable and citizen-centred.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe