Minister blames inefficient decentralization for poor city development

Accra, Oct. 27, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Monday observed that ineffectiveness of the decentralisation system has led to the emergence of unauthorised structures in the urban centres.

He noted that the functions of Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCC) have been usurped by the Central Government and other authorities, compelling the local authorities to look up to such bodies for support. Nii Ashietey who made the observation at the opening session of the Greater Accra Regional Consultative forum for the Acceleration of Decentralisation in Accra said the situation had made the RCCs not autonomous as prescribed by the decentralisation policy.

The session is the fourth in the series by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to collate inputs from the grassroots on how to improve the country's decentralisation system. Nii Ashietey said some assembly structures such as the sub-metropolitan assemblies, area, town, zonal and urban councils were very weak and non-existent in some areas.

"As for the 16,000 unit committees being envisaged, only few of them are working, he said.

Nii Ashietey pointed out that such a situation did not augur well for the country's decentralisation system and called for inputs to transform the system and make it accountable to the people rather than the central authorities.

He explained that this would enable the local authorities plan and deal with issues of urbanisation to ensure that "a better Ghana is delivered to the grassroots".

Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development called for constructive recommendations to improve the decentralisation system.