The Government of Ghana in 1988 drawing on earlier attempts and experiences embarked on a process of implementing a comprehensive decentralization and local government reform programme. The programme aimed at establishing efficient decentralized government machinery, promoting popular participation by shifting the process of governance from command to consultative processes and devolve functions, power, competences, skills, resources and means to local governments through executive, legislative, administrative, planning, service delivery, rating and budgeting.
The primary legislation was the Local Government Law of 1988, PNDCL 207. This was further deepened with the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution which has the entire Chapter 20 devoted to “Decentralization and Local Government”. Article 240 (1) of the 1992 Constitution which is an entrenched provisions in the Constitution, provided for the following:
‘Ghana shall have a system of Local Government and administration, which shall as far as practicable, be decentralized’.
Article 240(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana’
Ghana’s current system of decentralization has evolved in response to the demand for improved service delivery, accountability and good governance. Subsequent legislations including the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) and the Local Government Service Act, 2003 (Act 656), The National Development Planning Commission Act, the District Assemblies Common Fund Act
Introduction
455 were passed to support the process. After 20 years (1988-2008) of implementation, a review indicated marginal progress towards achieving the desired results. This and other factors formed the basis of Ghana’s new Decentralization policy framework in 2010.The new policy provided for ten (10) thematic areas of concentration within the plan implementation period. This has since been implemented and due to be replaced with a second policy framework to run from 2015 – 2017 riding on the new GSGDA II.
Ghana’s Decentralization Policy Framework is premised on the guiding principles on Decentralization within Article 35(6d) of the 1992 Constitution.
Guiding Principles
The following guiding principles underpins Ghana’s Local Government and Decentralisation system:
•The right of all persons to be afforded opportunities to participate in decision making at every level of governance;
•Central government transferring relevant functions, powers, responsibilities and resources to local government units in a coordinated manner; and in turn, local governments transferring required resources to sub-structures;
•Enhancing capacity of local government authorities to plan, initiate, coordinate, manage and execute policies in respect of all matters affecting the people in their areas;
•Ensuring local government accountability through an effective citizenry participation;
•Ensuring effective control of persons in the service of local government by local authorities.
1.2 Structure of local governments in Ghana
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution creates a three-tier structure of sub-national government at regional, district and sub-district levels; through the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs); Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies (MMDAs); and Urban/Zonal/Town/ Area Councils and Unit Committees. The Constitution further mandates Parliament to prescribe the guidelines for the demarcation of MMDAs.
Under the Constitution, the RCCs are chaired by Regional Ministers and has other members as deputy regional ministers, the Presiding Members and Metropolitan Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from each district in the region and two chiefs from the Regional House of Chiefs.
Regional Heads of decentralized ministries in the region are considered non-voting members and may attend RCC meeting depending on the subject under discussion. The RCC’s main function is to monitor, coordinate and evaluate the performance of the legal mandate of the various MMDAs in the region.
The MMDAs are the highest political authority in the district and are vested with deliberative, legislative and executive powers. The Composition of the MMDAs is seventy percent (70%) elected in non-partisan elections and thirty percent (30%) of all the members appointed by government in consultation with traditional authorities and interest groups.
The Constitution prescribes that local level elections are held every four (4) years. Members of Parliament whose constituencies fall within a district are also considered members of the respective Assemblies but without any voting right.
The MMDCEs are appointed by the President subject to the approval by two-thirds of majority of members of the MMDAs. The meetings of the Assemblies are chaired by a Presiding member, who is elected by two-thirds of all members of the Assembly for two (2) year tenure .
The Constitution also makes provision for further decentralization to the grassroots level by making provision to deepen popular participation in governance through the creation of the Zonal/Urban/Town/Area Councils and the Unit Committees.
The primary legislation was the Local Government Law of 1988, PNDCL 207. This was further deepened with the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution which has the entire Chapter 20 devoted to “Decentralization and Local Government”. Article 240 (1) of the 1992 Constitution which is an entrenched provisions in the Constitution, provided for the following:
‘Ghana shall have a system of Local Government and administration, which shall as far as practicable, be decentralized’.
Article 240(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana’
Ghana’s current system of decentralization has evolved in response to the demand for improved service delivery, accountability and good governance. Subsequent legislations including the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) and the Local Government Service Act, 2003 (Act 656), The National Development Planning Commission Act, the District Assemblies Common Fund Act
Introduction
455 were passed to support the process. After 20 years (1988-2008) of implementation, a review indicated marginal progress towards achieving the desired results. This and other factors formed the basis of Ghana’s new Decentralization policy framework in 2010.The new policy provided for ten (10) thematic areas of concentration within the plan implementation period. This has since been implemented and due to be replaced with a second policy framework to run from 2015 – 2017 riding on the new GSGDA II.
Ghana’s Decentralization Policy Framework is premised on the guiding principles on Decentralization within Article 35(6d) of the 1992 Constitution.
Guiding Principles
The following guiding principles underpins Ghana’s Local Government and Decentralisation system:
•The right of all persons to be afforded opportunities to participate in decision making at every level of governance;
•Central government transferring relevant functions, powers, responsibilities and resources to local government units in a coordinated manner; and in turn, local governments transferring required resources to sub-structures;
•Enhancing capacity of local government authorities to plan, initiate, coordinate, manage and execute policies in respect of all matters affecting the people in their areas;
•Ensuring local government accountability through an effective citizenry participation;
•Ensuring effective control of persons in the service of local government by local authorities.
1.2 Structure of local governments in Ghana
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution creates a three-tier structure of sub-national government at regional, district and sub-district levels; through the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs); Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies (MMDAs); and Urban/Zonal/Town/ Area Councils and Unit Committees. The Constitution further mandates Parliament to prescribe the guidelines for the demarcation of MMDAs.
Under the Constitution, the RCCs are chaired by Regional Ministers and has other members as deputy regional ministers, the Presiding Members and Metropolitan Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from each district in the region and two chiefs from the Regional House of Chiefs.
Regional Heads of decentralized ministries in the region are considered non-voting members and may attend RCC meeting depending on the subject under discussion. The RCC’s main function is to monitor, coordinate and evaluate the performance of the legal mandate of the various MMDAs in the region.
The MMDAs are the highest political authority in the district and are vested with deliberative, legislative and executive powers. The Composition of the MMDAs is seventy percent (70%) elected in non-partisan elections and thirty percent (30%) of all the members appointed by government in consultation with traditional authorities and interest groups.
The Constitution prescribes that local level elections are held every four (4) years. Members of Parliament whose constituencies fall within a district are also considered members of the respective Assemblies but without any voting right.
The MMDCEs are appointed by the President subject to the approval by two-thirds of majority of members of the MMDAs. The meetings of the Assemblies are chaired by a Presiding member, who is elected by two-thirds of all members of the Assembly for two (2) year tenure .
The Constitution also makes provision for further decentralization to the grassroots level by making provision to deepen popular participation in governance through the creation of the Zonal/Urban/Town/Area Councils and the Unit Committees.
