UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, ACCRA - GRADUATE STUDIES

DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN GHANA

LECTURE NINE (9A) - WEEK 9

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the concept of decentralization.
• Describe the concept of decentralization in the Ghanaian context.
• Discuss different forms of decentralization.
• Discuss the various types or dimensions of decentralization.
• Discuss the potential benefits of decentralization.
• Discuss the problems and challenges of decentralization in Ghana.

INTRODUCTION (BRAINSTORMING)

Several key questions are posed to provoke thought:

• What are the responsibilities of Government? Mention any.
• How does government finance the provision of goods and services to the people?
• What does Governance mean to you?
• What does Development mean to you?
• Is there any difference between local government and local governance?

What is Decentralisation?

• Definition: Decentralisation refers to the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to subordinate or quasi-independent government organisations and/or the private sector.
  1. It involves the transfer of responsibilities, powers, or authorities.
  2. It is about sharing duties in a collaborative manner.
• Reasons for Decentralisation:
  • A strategy for development that arose due to the failures of centralization.
  • Representing a shift in state organization involving the transfer of power or functions to lower levels of government.
  • According to Rondinelli & Cheema (1983), it entails the transfer of planning, decision-making, or administrative authority from the Central Government to its field organisations, local administrative units, semi-autonomous and parastatal organisations, local governments (LGs), or NGOs.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Decentralisation is governed by the principle of subsidiarity:

• Local problems are better solved by local people through their own means unless a central solution has compelling advantages.
• This principle is critical for good governance and has influenced decentralisation strategies in both developed and developing nations.

Decentralisation in the Ghanaian Context

• The goals of decentralisation in Ghana include:
  • Empowering local populations to govern their development processes.
  • Promoting participatory democracy, hence bringing governance closer to the people.
  • Enhancing service delivery to cater to local needs and preferences.
• Despite over three decades of implementation, limited real decentralisation has been achieved.

Ghana’s Decentralisation Policy and Its Implications for Local Authorities

• Key areas of focus in Ghana's decentralisation policy:
  • Political Decentralisation: Aims to transfer powers of governance from the central government to local entities.
  • Decentralised Planning: Ensures local agencies carry out planning duties.
  • Fiscal Decentralisation: Local entities gain financial independence and responsibilities.
  • Administrative Decentralisation: Local governments gain authority to manage certain functions effectively.
  • Popular Participation: Fostering local involvement in governance.
  • Local Economic Development: Local governments play a significant role in economic planning and development.
• Decentralisation policies dictate the scope of what local governments can achieve.

Ghana's Central-Local Government Relations

• Structure comprises two tiers of governments:
  • Central Government (located in Accra).
  • Local Government, which is accountable and interacts through mutual partnerships aimed not to create a master-servant relationship.

Local Government Authorities

• Local government (LG) is the authority at the lowest level of government aimed at establishing rules for localities and ensuring smooth societal operations through maintaining law and order and providing public services.
• Characteristics of local government authorities:
  • Corporate bodies performing public functions within their jurisdictions.
  • They have elected political leadership.
  • They prepare and approve their plans and budgets independently.

Local Government System and Structures in Ghana

• Key LG Institutions and Actors:
  • Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC):
  • Composed of the Regional Minister, Deputies, Traditional Authorities, and Regional Heads of Departments.
  • District Assemblies (DAs):
  • Include elected representatives from electoral areas and appointed individuals, comprising key leadership structures such as the MMDCEs (Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives).
  • Urban, Town, Area, and Zonal Councils:
  • Composed of assembly members and unit committee members at various governance levels.

Forms of Decentralisation

1. De-concentration

• Definition: The transfer of administrative functions from the central government to its own regional offices at the local level.
• Characteristics:
  • Administrative functions shifted without the authority to change directives.
  • Seen as the weakest form of decentralisation, aimed primarily to decongest workloads.
• Example: When the Ghana Health Service establishes district directorates to provide services while acting under the head office's instructions.

2. Delegation

• Definition: Transfers decision-making and administrative responsibilities to semi-autonomous organisations not controlled by the central government, but accountable to it.
• Examples: Parastatals such as Ghana Cocoa Board, ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana), GWCL (Ghana Water Company Limited).

3. Devolution

• Definition: The full transfer of powers from central government to independent subnational authorities (MMDAs).
• Requirements:
  • MMDCEs must be elected and independent from central government directives.
• Characteristics: Comprehensive and culminates in accountable local governments to their populations.

4. Privatisation

• Definition: The transfer of public economic functions to private or non-government entities, shifting responsibilities to non-public sectors.

Types and Dimensions of Decentralisation

1. Fiscal Decentralisation:

   • Policies to increase financial autonomy of sub-national governments.
   • Local governments require an adequate level of revenue and expenditure decision rights.
   • Example in Ghana: District Assemblies Common Fund Act facilitating local fiscal powers.

2. Political Decentralisation:

   • Aims to empower citizens in decision-making processes.
   • The 1992 Constitution (Chapter 20) and Local Government Act (Act 936 of 2016) enable local leadership selection.

3. Administrative Decentralisation:

   • Transfers public service delivery from central to local levels.
   • Integrates sectoral resources into local administrative systems.

4. Decentralised Development Planning:

   • Advocates for local representation in development plan formulation to optimize resource allocation and ensure equitable benefit sharing.

Potential Benefits of Decentralisation

• Bringing government closer to the populace.
• Empowering local governments and actors within community development.
• Promoting inclusiveness and sensitivity to local needs.
• Enhancing cost recovery.
• Promoting political representation for diverse groups.
• Facilitating policy implementation by local actors.
• Supporting national stability and unity.

Problems and Challenges of Decentralisation in Ghana

1. Resistance: Central government unwillingness to share power.
2. Awareness and Participation: Lack of public awareness and participation culture.
3. Personnel: Insufficient skilled and competent personnel.
4. Autonomy: Inability of local governments to manage their human resources autonomously.

Potential Pitfalls in Decentralisation Implementation

1. Loss of central government control over financial resources.
2. Administrative inefficiencies due to technical capacity gaps.
3. Inequity resulting from resource disparities among local governments.
4. Local elite capture of newly decentralized structures.
5. Possible macro-economic instability from poor management.

THANK YOU!

LECTURE NINE (9B) - WEEK 10

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Define Local Government and discuss its significance.
• Explore preconditions for successful local governance.
• Examine the legislative framework guiding local governance in Ghana and understand the functions of local government.
• Assess the benefits and challenges faced by local government in Ghana.

Local Government Explained

Local government is a product of devolution as a form of decentralisation that encompasses a legal personality and specified powers.

• Focuses on:
  1. Legal personality.
  2. Specified functions.
  3. Budgetary and staffing autonomy.
  4. Citizen participation.
  5. Local governance processes.

Role, Purpose, and Significance of Local Government

Role

• Facilitates democratization through increased mass participation in decision-making processes; crucial to a complete political system.

Purpose

1. Administrative duty of delivering goods and services.
2. Involvement of citizens in identifying and meeting local needs.

Significance

• Fundamental reasons for local governance include:
  a. Education and political training.
  b. Leadership development.
  c. Increased accountability of government.