A new survey by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has revealed that systemic weaknesses, including political interference and limited financial autonomy, continue to undermine the effectiveness of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.
The findings, presented at a national stakeholder workshop on local government reforms in Accra, were based on responses from 252 participants across 24 MMDAs in 12 regions. The study assessed governance performance, institutional structures, and accountability mechanisms at the local level.
According to Mr. Paul Nana Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, Team Lead for Local and Urban Governance at CDD-Ghana, although Ghana has established legal frameworks for decentralisation, their implementation remains weak. He noted that political interference in areas such as staff postings, procurement processes, and decision-making continues to erode efficiency and accountability.
The report also highlighted operational challenges within assemblies, including limited engagement between assembly members and constituents, irregular subcommittee meetings due to funding constraints, and low public awareness of key accountability structures like Public Relations and Complaints Committees.
Additionally, tensions between political heads and administrative officials were identified as a factor affecting effective governance, while centralised control over human resource management was said to restrict the autonomy of local authorities.
On the financial front, the study pointed to delays in the release of the District Assemblies Common Fund and weak mobilisation of Internally Generated Funds, which in many districts account for less than one percent of total revenue.
While there is broad support for electing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), respondents cautioned that such reforms alone would not address deeper structural challenges and could potentially increase partisanship and monetisation in local governance.
CDD-Ghana recommended comprehensive reforms, including strengthening fiscal decentralisation, devolving human resource management to local assemblies, enforcing non-partisan governance principles, and enhancing citizen participation. The report also called for integrating traditional authorities into planning processes and improving transparency and accountability systems.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey of the Institute for Democratic Governance urged Ghana to adopt lessons from other African countries that have successfully implemented decentralisation reforms.
Professor Henry Kwesi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, also attributed inefficiencies partly to politically driven decisions, including the creation of districts without sufficient viability. He proposed the establishment of an independent devolution commission to oversee reforms and reduce political interference in local governance.
The report underscores the need for a holistic approach to decentralisation reforms to ensure that local governance structures effectively deliver development at the grassroots level.
