Accra: Former Minister of Local Government and Decentralisation, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, has issued a warning about the potential threat to Ghana's national unity if decentralisation is not managed properly. He highlighted concerns that a 'troublesome Ashantehene' could pose significant challenges to the country's cohesion.
According to Ghana Web, Prof Ahwoi made these remarks during a sensitisation and policy orientation workshop organised by the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCC) on May 19, 2026. He emphasised that improper management of decentralisation could lead to separatist tendencies, undermining national cohesion.
Prof Ahwoi, who also chairs the IMCC Technical Committee, pointed out that decentralisation should be designed to prevent political fragmentation. He warned against the risks of moving from decentralisation to separation and potentially to the breakdown of the country.
He explained that Ghana's governance system intentionally maintains a weak regional structure to safeguard national unity. Prof Ahwoi noted that Ghana, like many African nations, was formed by colonial boundaries, which he described as an 'artificial colonial construct.'
He argued that traditional states like the Ashanti Kingdom had historically been capable of expanding beyond their current territories if not for colonial constraints. Prof Ahwoi cautioned that a problematic Ashantehene could create issues for the nation.
Prof Ahwoi further referenced historical examples such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and Nigeria's civil war, to illustrate how internal divisions can lead to national fragmentation. He emphasised that while decentralisation is crucial for governance and development, it should be implemented in a manner that reinforces national unity.
The workshop aimed to raise public awareness and support for Ghana's new National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (2026-2030) and was attended by media practitioners and policy stakeholders.