Tamale: A research conducted by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called for the depoliticisation of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as a critical step towards improving effectiveness, accountability and citizen trust in local governance. The study underscores the importance of shifting away from the current appointment system, where Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are appointed by the President, which currently fosters upward accountability rather than responsiveness to local citizens.
According to Ghana News Agency, the research recommends transitioning to a merit-based and competitive selection process for MMDA heads, alongside enforcing non-partisan principles in local governance. These findings were disseminated at a national stakeholder workshop in Tamale, which aimed to discuss a report titled 'Resetting Ghana's Local Governance System for Enhanced Effectiveness.' The workshop, organised by CDD-Ghana with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), gathered policymakers, civil society actors, traditional authorities, technical experts and the media to deliberate necessary reforms to strengthen Ghana's decentralisation system.
The study encompassed 24 MMDAs across 12 regions and used ethnographic methods, key informant interviews and focus group discussions to examine the practical functioning of decentralisation in Ghana. It identified key structural and institutional bottlenecks, such as weak financial autonomy, limited citizen participation and ineffective sub-district structures like Unit Committees and Area Councils. Mr. Nana Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, Programmes Manager at CDD-Ghana, highlighted that despite the legal framework for non-partisan local governance, political interference continues to influence district-level decision-making, affecting project prioritisation, resource allocation and the distribution of basic amenities.
The report further emphasised the need to enhance the financial autonomy of MMDAs through improved mobilisation of Internally Generated Funds and ensuring timely, full disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund. Ms. Persis Naamzug Ali Lezuabah of CDD-Ghana noted a persistent gap between Ghana's strong legal framework for decentralisation and its practical implementation, citing challenges like political interference and weak accountability systems. Public dissatisfaction with MMDA performance remains high, with many citizens feeling excluded from decision-making processes.
The workshop also addressed the role of political parties in local governance, highlighting tensions between Members of Parliament and MMDCEs, as well as concerns over the influence of party politics on administrative functions. Proposals to strengthen grassroots governance structures were explored, focusing on revitalising Unit Committees and Area Councils through dedicated funding and capacity-building. Mr. Abdul Hafiz Adam, Gushegu Municipal Chief Executive, praised CDD-Ghana and its partners for the initiative, advocating for the empowerment of traditional authorities to support inclusive local development efforts.