Business News of 2026-09-02
IMCC reaffirms government’s commitment to accelerating Ghana’s decentralisation agenda
The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening democratic decentralisation and strengthening Ghana’s local governance system.
The committee says this is essential to promoting accountable governance, responsive public service delivery, and accelerated development at the local level.
This was reaffirmed at a high-level meeting of the IMCC held at Peduase Lodge on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and focused on strategic policy, institutional, legislative, financing, and implementation priorities for advancing Ghana’s decentralisation agenda.
The discussions were held in line with the committee’s mandate under the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936.
In her opening remarks, the Vice President underscored the importance of decentralisation to effective governance.
She emphasised that bringing decision-making and public services closer to citizens is essential to improving governance and strengthening the relationship between the state and the people.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that decentralisation must ultimately improve the welfare of citizens and protect the environment, with participation and inclusion at the heart of the governance process.
She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing devolution and strengthening citizen participation in local governance.
The Vice President stressed the need to move decisively from policy formulation to implementation, noting that the approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework for 2026 to 2030 provides an important foundation.
She, however, noted that the success of the framework will depend on translating policy into tangible results at the local level.
The meeting also received an update from the Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, on progress made by the Secretariat in creating the conditions necessary for the effective implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework.
Dr Hoedoafia highlighted ongoing work by the Secretariat, in collaboration with Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and other stakeholders, to advance legislative and administrative reforms.
The reforms include the review of the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936; the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020, Act 1049; and the legislative framework governing the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted efforts to strengthen public awareness and citizen engagement on decentralisation reforms.
He noted that effective decentralisation requires informed citizen participation, ownership, and accountability.
Coordination with development partners and other stakeholders has also been strengthened through mechanisms such as the Decentralisation Sector Working Group.
The committee gave particular attention to the financing of decentralisation reforms, including the mainstreaming of decentralisation priorities into sector plans and budgets.
It also considered measures to strengthen local government financing and fiscal capacity.
These include increased District Assemblies Common Fund allocations to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, enhanced internally generated revenue, and efforts to expand the fiscal space available for local development and service delivery.
Progress towards the devolution of key sectors, including education, health, and roads, was also considered.
The discussions highlighted the institutional, legislative, financing, and capacity requirements necessary to effectively transfer functions to the local level.
The committee stressed that such devolution must be accompanied by the necessary resources and accountability mechanisms to improve service delivery.
The IMCC reaffirmed that the successful implementation of Ghana’s decentralisation agenda requires a coordinated, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
This will involve central government institutions, the Local Government Service, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, development partners, civil society, traditional authorities, academia, and citizens.
The committee therefore reaffirmed its commitment to providing strategic policy coordination and oversight to accelerate the implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework for 2026 to 2030.
The focus will be on effective devolution, sustainable financing, institutional coordination, citizen participation, and measurable improvements in local governance and public service delivery.
The meeting was attended by members of the committee and other key stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the IMCC Technical Committee, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, and the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The IMCC says it remains committed to working with all relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure that decentralisation continues to serve as a practical instrument for inclusive development, accountable governance, and improved service delivery across the country.
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