By Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has underscored government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s decentralisation policy, stressing that responsive and accountable local governance remains key to national development.
Speaking at the maiden National Dialogue on Decentralisation and Responsive Governance in Accra, the Vice President said more than two billion cedis have so far been disbursed through the District Assemblies Common Fund to support development projects and improve service delivery in communities.
She noted, however, that financial transfers alone are not enough. “Development becomes meaningful when communities are given a voice in the setting of priorities, and when assemblies are empowered to respond to those voices,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang outlined government’s Reset Agenda for Local Governance, which includes increasing the District Assemblies Common Fund, moving towards the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), supporting assemblies to raise more internally generated revenue, and leveraging those funds to attract private investment.
She also revealed that work is ongoing on a National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy (2026–2030), which will provide a framework for transferring more power and responsibilities from the centre to the local level.
According to her, the dialogue offers government, development partners, traditional leaders, civil society and citizens the chance to renew their commitment to building a decentralised system that truly serves the people.
“The outcomes of this dialogue will guide our policy for the next five years. Even more than that, they will redefine how we govern and perceive ourselves as a nation,” she stated.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang formally declared the two-day dialogue open, urging participants to help translate deliberations into bold reforms that deliver efficiency, inclusivity, and accountability at the grassroots.
The Executive Secretary of IMCCoD, Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia, emphasized the need for sustainable funding, stronger community involvement, and the planned election of MMDCEs to enhance accountability and inclusivity in local governance.
The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, commended the government’s progress on decentralization, citing the drafting of a new policy, broad consultations, and improved transparency in District Assemblies. She pledged the continuous support of development partners to the districts.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and High Commissioner Designate to Canada, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh, urged participants at the national dialogue to craft actionable strategies to address challenges like limited resources and low citizen participation for improved service delivery.
The dialogue is themed “Resetting Decentralisation for Responsive Local Governance and Effective Service Delivery.”
