CLGA calls for caution in creation of new districts as survey reveals poor service delivery

The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) has called on successive governments to exercise caution in the creation of new districts, citing concerns over poor service delivery and failure by some existing districts to meet the needs of citizens. The call follows findings from a research study conducted by the organisation, which examined the legal, developmental, fiscal and political implications of the continuous creation of districts in Ghana. Speaking at the media launch of the research report on November 10, 2026, Isaac Owusu, who is in charge of research at the organization, disclosed that 10,400 citizens were interviewed as part of the survey. According to him, respondents assessed the performance of district assemblies across key service delivery areas, including education, water, sanitation, roads and security. He said the findings revealed widespread dissatisfaction among citizens, with 63 percent giving negative ratings to the performance of the assemblies. Owusu argued that the findings raise questions about whether the creation of additional districts is achieving its intended purpose of bringing governance closer to the people and improving access to basic services. “Creating a district is supposed to serve the basic needs of the people, but the citizens say they are not getting the benefits from such an initiative. So, we are saying we have to take our time and see how best we can help with the existing districts before creating more,” he stated. He further questioned the eligibility of some existing districts, arguing that certain assemblies may not have satisfied the legal requirements for their establishment. According to him, Ghana has clearly defined constitutional and legal criteria governing the creation of districts, which successive governments must respect. “If we are supposed to create more per the Constitution and the laws, we have criteria for creating a district. But if you look at some of the districts that have been created, you can see that they don't qualify to be a district,” he said. Owusu maintained that strict adherence to the legal framework would help strengthen district assemblies and improve their effectiveness in delivering development to their respective communities. Meet the media personalities who have declared parliamentary ambitions ahead of 2028 As part of its recommendations, the CLGA urged successive governments to comply with the established legal procedures for creating new districts, rather than allowing political considerations to undermine the process. He noted that the organisation had observed instances where successive governments disregarded the relevant laws, while others complied with them in the creation of districts. The research, titled “The Continuous Creation of Districts in Ghana: Legal, Developmental, Fiscal and Political Implications,” examines the broader consequences of the country's district creation policy. The study recognises that the establishment of new districts is intended to bring governance closer to citizens and accelerate development. However, it also highlights the need to assess the implications of the policy for decentralisation, public financial management, administrative efficiency and equitable development. AM Samira Bawumia Stuns Audience with ‘Asaase Yaa’ Poem at Literary Night Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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