CDD leads decentralization discussion

(From L to R) Dr. Patrick Osei Kuffuor, Dr. Beatrix Allah-Mensah, Ambassador Francis Tsegah, Acquinas Tawiah Quansah and Kevin Fridy at the forum.

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday June 6, 2011.
As part of efforts to deepen the process of decentralization, the Center for Democratic Governance (CDD -Ghana) has organized a round table discussion to find solutions to problems associated with the implementation of decentralization concept.

In recognition of the problem, the CDD created a platform for Dr. Kevin Fridy, a Professor at the Tampa University, United States to share his research findings on the topic: “The MP, the Mayor and Chief: Exploring multi-level local governance in Ghana to explore the various ways that Ghanaians understand competing modes of governance provision at the local level.”

Dr. Fridy conducted study was conducted in the summer 2009 in four constituencies namely Ayawaso West Wugon and Odododiodioo in the Greater Accra Region as well as Bolgatanga and Nabdam in the Upper East Region.

Opening the discussion, Acquinas Tawiah Quansah, a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development who chaired the discussion said the best way to ensure accelerated development of the country is to deepen the process of decentralization.

He said local government and rural development continues to be the fulcrum around which the country’s development would revolve and should not be undermined.
Mr. Quansah said the reforms currently going on are alternative development strategies and added that the implementation of policies on local governance is leading to “incremental changes.”

To ensure the government’s commitment towards decentralization, the Deputy Minister said the government is determined to ensure the transfer of financial resources to assemblies to enhance fiscal aspect of the policy.

He said the budget would give meaning to the transfer of staff and the functions of the assemblies, adding that the Ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to operationalize the integrated district composite budget.

Mr. Quansah said the composite budget would support the district assemblies’ common fund as a dedicated fund to finance local level development.

Giving an overview of the research Dr. Fridy said the findings suggested that as one moves from relatively affluent urban areas to less affluent and rural areas, the formal modes of governance provisions outlined in the constitution and other legal document became blurred as citizens adapt structures to serve unintended roles.

He said the survey asked respondents who they would consult given various infrastructure, social service, and policing issues.

Dr. Beatrix Allah-Mensah a discussant from the University of Ghana said indicators of governance point to the fact that the country is beginning to realise the need to pursue local governance.

Dr. Patrick Osei Kuffuor, another discussant from the University of Cape Coast said the time has come for stakeholders to assess the routines that enable officials to achieve their functional objectives.