Peduase lodge: The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation has reaffirmed the government's commitment to deepening democratic decentralisation and strengthening Ghana's local governance system. The committee emphasizes that this is essential for promoting accountable governance, responsive public service delivery, and accelerated development at the local level.
According to Ghana Web, this commitment was reiterated at a high-level meeting of the IMCC held at Peduase Lodge on Monday, August 31, 2026. The meeting, chaired by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, focused on strategic policy, institutional, legislative, financing, and implementation priorities for advancing Ghana's decentralisation agenda. The discussions were aligned with the committee's mandate under the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936.
In her opening remarks, the Vice President underscored the importance of decentralisation to effective governance. She emphasized that bringing decision-making and public services closer to citizens is crucial for improving governance and strengthening the relationship between the state and the people. Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that decentralisation must ultimately enhance the welfare of citizens and protect the environment, with participation and inclusion at the heart of the governance process. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing devolution and strengthening citizen participation in local governance.
The Vice President stressed the need to transition decisively from policy formulation to implementation, noting that the approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework for 2026 to 2030 provides an important foundation. However, she noted that the framework's success will depend on translating policy into tangible results at the local level.
The meeting also received an update from the Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, on progress made by the Secretariat in creating the conditions necessary for the effective implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework. Dr. Hoedoafia highlighted ongoing work by the Secretariat, in collaboration with Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and other stakeholders, to advance legislative and administrative reforms. These reforms include reviewing the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936; the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020, Act 1049; and the legislative framework governing the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted efforts to enhance public awareness and citizen engagement on decentralisation reforms. He noted that effective decentralisation requires informed citizen participation, ownership, and accountability. Coordination with development partners and other stakeholders has been strengthened through mechanisms such as the Decentralisation Sector Working Group.
The committee gave particular attention to financing decentralisation reforms, including mainstreaming decentralisation priorities into sector plans and budgets. Measures to strengthen local government financing and fiscal capacity were also considered. These include increased District Assemblies Common Fund allocations to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, enhanced internally generated revenue, and efforts to expand the fiscal space available for local development and service delivery.
Progress towards the devolution of key sectors, including education, health, and roads, was also considered. The discussions highlighted the institutional, legislative, financing, and capacity requirements necessary to effectively transfer functions to the local level. The committee stressed that such devolution must be accompanied by the necessary resources and accountability mechanisms to improve service delivery.
The IMCC reaffirmed that successfully implementing Ghana's decentralisation agenda requires a coordinated, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach. This involves central government institutions, the Local Government Service, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, development partners, civil society, traditional authorities, academia, and citizens. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to providing strategic policy coordination and oversight to accelerate the implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework for 2026 to 2030. The focus will be on effective devolution, sustainable financing, institutional coordination, citizen participation, and measurable improvements in local governance and public service delivery.
The meeting was attended by members of the committee and other key stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the IMCC Technical Committee, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, and the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund. The IMCC stated its commitment to working with all relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure that decentralisation continues to serve as a practical instrument for inclusive development, accountable governance, and improved service delivery across the country.