Few would disagree that decentralisation is an alternative development strategy as evidence abound the world over, especially in emerging markets on the ability of decentralisation to bring governance closer to the doorsteps of the people, leading to local ownership of decisions and the decision-making process.
Empirical evidence suggests that decentralisation ensures efficient public services tailored to the needs of citizens as local governments understand the preferences of their public. It engenders greater citizens’ engagement in local affairs, improves performance in public education and health sectors and allows for more efficient implementation of government programmes with performance and stewardship-oriented strategies which curtail corruption at the subnational level.

It is against this backdrop that decentralisation and local governance in Ghana is provided for in the Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy. Read more …