Accra: Dr Gameli Hoedoafia, Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCC), has urged a fundamental reset of Ghana's decentralisation system to improve public service delivery and accelerate local development.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Hoedoafia emphasized the need for the next phase of decentralisation to prioritize the quality of services delivered, the responsiveness of local institutions, and tangible development outcomes for citizens. He made these remarks at the opening of a two-day National Dialogue on Decentralisation and Responsive Governance in Accra, organized by the IMCC to deliberate on the future of decentralisation and promote responsive local governance.
The dialogue, themed 'Resetting Democratic Decentralisation for Accountable Public Service Delivery and Accelerated Local Development,' brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including regional ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), traditional leaders, local government experts, development partners, and civil society organizations. It coincided with the celebration of African Decentralisation and Local Development Day (ADD), observed annually on August 10.
Dr Hoedoafia noted that while Ghana has made significant progress since the decentralisation process began over three decades ago, there is no room for complacency. He stressed the importance of strengthening existing local governance structures to deliver better outcomes. "Policy approval is not our finish line. It is our starting point. The real test now lies in coordination, effective implementation, and delivery," he stated.
He highlighted that the Cabinet's approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (NDPS) 2026-2030 offers an opportunity to translate policy commitments into measurable improvements in citizens' lives. Dr Hoedoafia cautioned against allowing the framework to become merely another policy document without effective implementation, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to decentralisation.
He further stated that the ultimate measure of decentralisation should be tangible improvements in communities, including roads, markets, health facilities, water systems, classrooms, and other local infrastructure. The national dialogue is expected to serve as an annual platform for reflection, accountability, partnership, and action, bringing together various stakeholders to renew their commitment to a local governance system that is democratic, accountable, adequately empowered, and responsive to citizens' needs.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, echoed these sentiments, stating that stronger financial support for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) is necessary for effective local community development. He emphasized the critical need for strengthening the capacity and financing of MMDAs to improve sanitation and build resilient communities.
Mr Ibrahim highlighted the importance of adequate resources, stronger inter-ministerial coordination, accountability, and effective project execution at the local level, asserting that policy alone cannot address sanitation issues. He also mentioned the Ministry's issuance of fee-fixing guidelines for 2026-2030 to establish transparent standards for fees, levies, and charges, as well as guidelines for the utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to provide greater fiscal space for essential services.
Madam Magdalene Wust, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, commended the Government for its commitment to decentralisation and the approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework 2026-2030. She called for stronger oversight, accountability, citizen participation, and financial autonomy at the district level, stressing the importance of strengthening monitoring and supervision to ensure effective delivery by subnational governments. Development partners, she assured, remain committed to supporting Ghana's decentralisation agenda through stronger coordination and strategic partnerships.