Decentralisation

The Decentralisation process in Ghana

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Extention of pipe borne water at Cheyohi no. 3

 

The Government of Ghana has for several years pursued a decentralisation reform as part of wider efforts to enhance good governance and bring decision making closer to people. The objectives of the decentralisation reform are inscribed in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which stipulates that “Parliament shall enact appropriate laws to ensure that functions, powers, responsibilities and resources are at all times transferred from central government to local government units in a coordinated manner”.

 

With the Decentralisation Policy Framework and the National decentralisation Action Plan a transition process has been initiated towards the development of a comprehensive, well-sequenced and costed approach to decentralisation targeting the local governments with emphasising practical issues such as harmonisation of development funding and capacity building. However, it is acknowledged that further real progress of the decentralisation reform will require a more coherent and coordinated approach which in turn will require policy clarification to guide the implementation, particularly with the linkages between the local government reform and with the overall decentralisation linkages to the sectors.  

 

 

Joint Decentralisation Review 2011 presented by the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with Development Partners.

 

Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme 2009-2013 (LSDGP)

The Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme is a five year programme that is being implemented from 2009 to 2013. The overall strategy of the Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme is to make a smooth exit from area based earmarked sector funding for service delivery and enter into support of a nationwide funding mechanism for service delivery- the District Development Fund. The means of which funds are distributed to the districts are based on performance indicators which are related to the district development plans and the accountability of the funds. Both the Government of Ghana and a number of Development Partners will provide funding for the District Development Fund. The Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme comprises following three components:

Component 1: Institutional Support and Capacity Building is aimed at strengthening the Local Government Service Secretariat and provide capacity building for decentralised service delivery. The support is provided to a basket fund for selected activities which are included in the Local Government Service Secretariats Strategic Medium Term Development Plan. This plan covers institutional support and capacity building for decentralised service delivery at the national, regional and district levels.

Computer Training in Progress under the District Development Fund (DDF).

3 Unit classroom, store and 4 seats KVIP in Assin Wurakse Camp

Component 2: Support to Service Delivery and Local Governance is providing funds for service delivery at the district level. Earmarked funding for rural roads and water and sanitation is phased out along with the establishment and strengthening of the District Development Fund, which is the vehicle for financing discretionary investments at local government level. A review which is planned for the end of 2010 will decide on the specific areas of activities to be covered during the last two years of the programme in as much as it deviates from the proposed programme strategy of using the District Development Fund as the only funding modality post 2011. The District Development Fund is ensuring additional discretionary funding for local service delivery, stronger Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies incentives and coordinated, demand driven capacity building.

10 seater aqua privy at Dalun.

Construction of drains and surfacing of 1.35 km road at Somanya.

Component 3: Support to Ghana Audit Service is providing funds for strengthening the yearly auditing of the districts. The support includes support to capacity building and office equipment.

Capacity Building Training by Functional and Organisational Assessment Tool (FOAT).

Maternity Block at Tolon Health Centre.

Construction of Health Centre at Assin Fosu.

District Mutual Health Insurance offices in Bimbilla.

Construction of fire station at Buipe.