Although, decentralization in ghana is aimed at devolving central administrative authority to the district level, the study revealed that, there are still challenges to. The history of decentralization in ghana was traced back to the introduction of indirect rule by the british colonial authorities in 1878, lasting until 1951 ayee 2000. In practice, however, linkages between decentralisation and decentralised cooperation remain rather elusive in ghana. Ghana, republic of, decentralization secretariat, ministry of local government and rural development mlgrd 2003 national decentralization action plan ndap. The fourth section provides an analysis of the situation, some historical background, the achievements, challenges and efforts at reform. Greater accra regional minister, nii armah ashittey, on thursday admitted that ghanas decentralization programme has not worked effectively. Although a semblance of decentralization exists in most districts in ghana, where the health sector has been collaborating with the. It is to this end that the decentralization policy framework with the theme accelerating. Opportunities and risks decentralization is transforming the structure of governance in africa. It is structured into a number of parts as follows.
Ghanas political rights, civil liberties and freedom of press rankings are renowned to be among the best in africa and comparable to those recorded by countries with much higher levels of development. Linkages between decentralisation and decentralised. This has helped to create jobs, increase human capital, decrease poverty, and expand opportunities and improve living conditions for millions of ghanaians. The contemporary decentralization concept in ghana was crippled at birth to satisfy a cosmetic outlook of modernist theory even. Pdf the governance work of the commonwealth secretariat has a particular focus on public sector development in africa and small states. An overview of the fundamentals in public administration research.
Although ghana has been committed to decentralization since the passing of the 1993 local governance act, it typically has practiced deconcentrationi. Specifically, decentralization in ghana is purposed to promote participatory democracy to. Despite pronouncements to the contrary, central governments often do not want to devolve power to the local level. Request pdf challenges of decentralisation in ghana. To deepen decentralization in ghana, the government has made its intention known that ministries of health, education and agriculture should be fully decentralized. Decentralization reform refers to transforming the local institutional infrastructure for natural resource management on which local forest management is based ribot.
In ghana, the main objectives of decentralization include empowerment, participation, accountability, effectiveness interalia and the stemming of ruralurban drift ahwoi, 2010. Many countries around the world have been attemptingfor several reasons and with varying degrees of intention and successto create or strengthen subnational governments in recent years. When a part of the work is entrusted to others, it is known as delegation. This paper deals with ghana experience in fiscal decentralization. Progress in implementation has been hampered, in a first phase, by conceptual. Decentralization resulting difficulties in a coherent implementation in hq across clusters and in rosrds due to their constitutional status has wide freedom of action and it is a potential challenge consistent implementation across the organizationtools to handle the challenges.
Effectiveness of decentralization in ghana their obligations and attract able and competent officers ministry of local government. Decentralization and governance in ghana request pdf. Poverty reduction, empowerment and participation is the outcome of this workshop. The views and opinions expressed in this booklet are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of unesco or of the iiep. For the first time since nkrumah, an elected official served a complete term. Pdf challenges affecting decentralization and local governments.
The minister, who was touring some medical facilities under his jurisdiction said though we talk about decentralization in practice, it is not. Ghana is widely regarded as an example of successful. A multilevel approach is used to promote coordination mechanisms between regional, local and national stakeholders. It seeks to strengthen approaches, policies, and tools that. For the first time in ghanas history a party hands over power in a free and fair election. Fiscal decentralization institute for fiscal studies ghana. The story of decentralisation in ghana is an interesting one. Challenges and perspectives for local authorities rapid urbanisation as a challenge growing transfer of responsibilities from the centre great expenditure needs funding is not proportional guide to municipal finance published in nairobi in 2009 by unhabitat. Decentralisation extends to the lowest level of the organisation. The report also identifies successful governance mechanisms for efficient.
Many experts and stakeholders in local governance turned up at the launch. Challenges of ghanas decentralisation process news ghana. For further information, the interested reader should consult villadsen and lubanga 1996, nsibambi 1998, obwona et al. Decentralization policies are part of vigorous initiatives to support rural development. George owusu institute of statistical, social and economic research isser, university of ghana, legon, ghana. Africa shows an impressive institutional creativity. Decentralization is, nowadays, a popular process worldwide. Rising through cities in ghana ix foreword summary rapid urbanization in ghana over the past three decades has coincided with rapid gdp growth. Pdf decentralisation in ghana, and across subsaharan africa, faces a number of challenges to successful local governance provision. National politicians may be tempted to experiment with it, hoping that its adoption will increase their popularity at home, although they have to cede some power. The study provides a walkthetalk model that requires political will to address the key challenges of decentralization in ghana. Ghana s current decentralization was introduced in.
Decentralization is a complex phenomenon involving many geographic entities, societal actors and social sectors. Towards a sectorwide approach for decentralization implementation in ghana 20032005. News ghana is ghanas leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies. Ghanas authoritative book on decentralisation launched. Nov 02, 2017 professor kwamena ahwoi, one of the prime architects of ghanas decentralisation programme, has immortalised his rich knowledge and experiences in a 360 pagebook, to guide the nation in its efforts to make governance more participatory and accessible to every stakeholder. Implications for agricultural service delivery in ghana pdf. Decentralisation refers to tire systematic effort to delegate. Challenges of decentralization comes with costs brings a complexity to coordination and management issues requires special efforts by us all to ensure one who as a coherent, seamless global organization working as one of course decentralization also has important challenges, which also need to be mentioned. Educational decentralization and school governance in south africa.
Through the analysis of interview data and secondary information, this claim was tested in five districts in ghana. Apr 10, 2010 ghanas decentralization program began in 1988 with the objective to promote effective and accountable local government, which would become autonomous in political administration, planning, development, budgeting and rating. Since 1992, ghana has made strives at implementing fiscal decentralization in ghana. Jun 06, 2017 policy makers in ghana have lauded the fiscal decentralization as a positive driver of substantial government growth and development. John kufuor of the new patriotic party npp defeats john attamills of the ndc. The third chapter considers the legislative, policy and. The ghana education service is therefore one of the lead agencies to set pace on decentralisation in ghana. Decentralization is predicted to increase popular participation in all processes, and especially decisionmaking at the local level. Citizens may take problems they want a governance provider to solve to a member of.
Decentralisation in ghana, and across subsaharan africa, faces a number of challenges to successful local governance provision because there are a number of formal and informal actors to choose from. There are at least three challenges to improving the availability of funding for. I limit myself here to three of the principal challenges. However, the implementation of the program and management of revenue at the local level has been challenging. Since the middle of the l980s most african countries have started a transfer of power, resources and responsibilities to their subnational governments. The institute for democratic governance ideg on wednesday held a national forum on the successes and challenges of the decentralisation process in ghana. Post independence era problems that developed as a result of this dual central and local administration included encroachment on the rights and responsibilities of the weaker local. News ghana is ghana s leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. The 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana and the various legislations on decentralisation articulate the explicit objectives of the policy which includes responsiveness to community needs. He said the programme would be restructured to move the country forward. Ghanas decentralization programme said to be ineffective.
Meaning, advantages and disadvantages of decentralisation. The designations employed and the presentation of material. Decentralization is a concept well professed by political elites in ghana yet there has been inadequate political will to transfer actual power, authority and resources to the district assemblies. Decentralization has been advocated by development partners. The balance sheet of decentralization in ghana springerlink. Although ghana has been committed to decentralization since the passing of the. Policy makers in ghana have lauded the fiscal decentralization as a positive driver of substantial government growth and development. Decentralization of the health sector ministry of health. The support for decentralisation reforms sfdr project supports the implementation of decentralisation reforms in ghana in 60 municipalities nationwide. Decentralization is the means to allow for the participation of people and local governments morell. This article examines the challenges of decentralization in ghana with particular focus. Pdf challenges affecting decentralization and local.
And challenges paul smoke new york university, new york, usa summary decentralisation is a complex and often somewhat elusive phenomenon. Educational decentralization and school governance in. However, the implementation of the program and management of revenue. The challenge, however, is how to ensure effective functioning of these laudable. Decentralised cooperation was launched in 1994 as a twoyear pilot programme with limited funding. The challenges and opportunities of decentralization decentralization creates both challenges and opportunities. Inadequate socio economic infrastructure is arguably africas most daunting challenge.
Professor kwamena ahwoi, one of the prime architects of ghanas decentralisation programme, has immortalised his rich knowledge and experiences in a 360 pagebook, to guide the nation in its efforts to make governance more participatory and accessible to every stakeholder. As we grapple with old and new challenges in a rapidly urbanizing ghana, this timely policy framework will serve as a useful guide for effective and efficient urbanization to facilitate sustainable socioeconomic development of our beloved. The primary goal of this framework is to provide a comprehensive road map which has broad based support for the vision of fiscal decentralisation as well as the strategies to meet that vision. May 31, 2010 the challenges and opportunities of decentralization decentralization creates both challenges and opportunities. Government of ghana intergovernmental fiscal decentralisation framework english abstract.