"Resetting Ghana’s local governance system critical for enhanced effectiveness" — CDD-Ghana

Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, CDD-GHANA, Jacob Ahuno has stated that Ghana must urgently reset its local governance architecture through far-reaching reforms that go beyond the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to address deeper structural, fiscal and institutional challenges.

Speaking at a National Stakeholder Workshop on Local Government Reforms in Accra, Mr. Ahuno underscored the need for a holistic approach to decentralisation, noting that while the call for the election of MMDCEs has gained significant public traction, it represents only one aspect of the broader reforms required to enhance effectiveness at the local level.

According to him, “the increasing demand for the election of MMDCEs reflects citizens’ desire for accountability and participation, but elections alone cannot fix the systemic inefficiencies within our local governance system."

Mr. Ahuno explained that Ghana’s decentralisation journey has seen several reform efforts over the years, yet many structural weaknesses persist.

He argued that meaningful reform must incorporate inclusive governance mechanisms such as proportional representation at the district level to accommodate a wider range of stakeholders, including youth groups, community volunteers, and political actors.

He also stressed the importance of gender inclusion, calling for deliberate affirmative action policies to increase women’s representation in District Assemblies.

He proposed a target of between 20 and 50 percent female participation by 2030 to ensure balanced decision-making and equitable development.

Additionally, he advocated for administrative restructuring, including the consolidation of smaller and less viable districts into larger, more sustainable units capable of delivering efficient public services.

Highlighting CDD-Ghana’s contributions to improving governance, Mr. Ahuno pointed to several initiatives designed to promote transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

These include the Ghana District Monitor, which tracks urban governance performance; the District Accountability Index, which evaluates accountability practices; and the Marginal District Development Scorecard, which assesses how deprived districts utilise resources for development.

He also cited the Kamawa programme, which enhances citizen participation and amplifies local voices, as well as the Evidence for Development initiative that bridges the gap between research and policymaking through data-driven governance.

“These tools are critical in ensuring that governance at the local level is not only participatory but also evidence-based,” he noted.

A significant portion of Mr. Ahuno’s presentation focused on fiscal decentralisation, which he described as one of the weakest links in Ghana’s local governance system.

He observed that although the Constitution mandates that five percent of national revenue be allocated to District Assemblies, actual disbursements often range between three and four percent, limiting the capacity of local authorities to deliver on their mandates.

Comparatively, he noted that Ghana lags behind several African countries, with nations such as Nigeria allocating about 10 percent, Rwanda 15 percent, and Mali between 12 and 13 percent of national revenue to local governments.

“In terms of best practice, Ghana should be targeting at least 15 percent if we are serious about empowering local authorities,” he stated.

Mr. Ahuno further recommended that at least 80 percent of allocated funds be transferred directly to District Assemblies to enhance operational efficiency and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.

He also raised concerns about the sharing of the District Assemblies Common Fund with Members of Parliament, arguing that such allocations are not constitutionally grounded and undermine the financial autonomy of local government.

Mr. Ahuno identified low internally generated funds (IGF) as another critical challenge facing local governments. He attributed this to factors such as weak economic activity at the district level, poor property rate collection systems, and inefficiencies in revenue mobilisation.

He called for reforms to strengthen local economic development and improve revenue collection mechanisms to ensure that Assemblies are less dependent on central government transfers.

Touching on the role of traditional authorities, Mr. Ahuno acknowledged their continued influence in local development but pointed to recurring tensions between chiefs and local government officials over authority and control.

He noted that although the Constitution requires consultation with chiefs in the appointment of 30 percent of government nominees to District Assemblies, traditional leaders often feel sidelined in decision-making processes.

To address this, he proposed the establishment of a Council for Local Development and Governance as a statutory advisory body that would provide chiefs with a defined and dignified role while avoiding institutional conflicts with District Assemblies.

Mr. Ahuno concluded by stressing that Ghana’s local governance system requires a comprehensive reset that integrates political, administrative, and fiscal reforms.

“Resetting the system is not just about electing leaders; it is about building institutions that are inclusive, accountable, adequately resourced, and responsive to the needs of citizens,” he said.

He urged policymakers, civil society, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively to implement reforms that will strengthen decentralisation and drive sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar