The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), in partnership with the German government through the German Development Corporation (GIZ), has further cemented its commitment to decentralisation reforms in Ghana. This was demonstrated during the official launch of SECO’s contribution to the Participation Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme on September 18, 2024, in Accra.

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) hosted the event, which saw key stakeholders from Ghana, Switzerland, and Germany come together to discuss the implementation of the PAIReD programme. Central to these discussions were improving the inter-governmental fiscal framework, enhancing local-level data management and land-use planning, and strengthening accountability in governance.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the government of Germany and Switzerland was commended for their consistent support toward Ghana’s decentralisation agenda. The minister emphasized that this collaborative effort would help achieve the PAIReD programme’s ambitious goals, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with all partners.

Dr. Dirk Assman, Country Director of GIZ, highlighted the importance of joint efforts, noting that the collaboration between stakeholders would drive significant achievements in participatory governance and accountability. He remarked, “Together we will accomplish some remarkable achievements as part of our cooperation.”

Also speaking at the event, David Collison, Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Finance, stressed the importance of accountability in fostering trust between the government and its citizens. He acknowledged that the successful implementation of the PAIReD programme would rely heavily on the active engagement of development partners, government agencies, civil society, and the private sector.

The PAIReD programme aims to create a governance framework that is efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of the people. Key areas of focus include participatory planning, budgeting, improved data management, land-use management, and enhancing accountability in the inter-governmental fiscal system. These efforts are expected to contribute to good governance and sustainable development in Ghana.

The launch event was attended by representatives from the Local Government Ministry, the German Embassy, the Swiss Embassy, the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders. With renewed enthusiasm and a deeper understanding of the PAIReD programme, participants left the event equipped to drive accountable governance and foster resilient democracy in Ghana.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD)has welcomed a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini on Monday, September 16, 2024, as part of a knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at deepening Eswatini’s understanding of local governance and decentralisation.

The nine-member delegation, comprising two ministers of state and key officials, embarked on this benchmark study visit to explore Ghana’s dynamic local government system, recognized for its structured and comprehensive approach.

The visit comes at a time when the Kingdom of Eswatini is seeking to enhance its local governance framework by learning from best practices across Africa. Ghana, lauded for its progressive and effective decentralisation model, presents a viable case for Eswatini, which is keen to replicate aspects of Ghana’s system that align with its national development objectives.

During the engagement, MLGDRD officials delivered a detailed presentation on Ghana’s local governance structure, followed by an in-depth discussion on the system's implementation across various levels of government. The presentation emphasized the critical roles played by district assemblies, participatory governance, and the strategic decentralisation of public service delivery in fostering national development.

The Chief Director of MLGDRD, Mr.  Amin Abdul-Rahaman, who chaired the meeting, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Eswatini in its decentralisation efforts. He assured the delegation of Ghana’s readiness to offer guidance throughout their journey toward establishing a more robust and inclusive local government system.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the leader, Hon. Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, underscored the significance of the visit, describing it as a pivotal step in Eswatini’s quest to strengthen its local governance. He expressed admiration for Ghana’s achievements and noted that the lessons learned would be instrumental in shaping Eswatini’s approach to governance at the grassroots level.

The study visit underscores the importance of peer learning and collaboration between African nations as they work to enhance governance and promote sustainable development across the continent.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Strategic and practical ideas to deepen decentralisation and local governance in Ghana were the focus of discussions at the maiden International Conference on Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Sustainable Development. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), the two-day event provided a platform for key stakeholders to exchange insights and explore pathways to foster inclusive, democratic governance for sustainable development.

The conference, held from September 11-12, 2024, at the ILGS, brought together a diverse group of participants, including researchers, academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students from across the globe. The theme of the event, “Deepening Decentralisation and Local Governance to Foster Inclusive and Democratic Governance for Sustainable Development,” framed discussions around strengthening local governance structures to meet the demands of inclusive development and democratic principles.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, underscored the importance of building capacity within local government institutions. He stressed that the success of Ghana's decentralisation efforts hinges on the competence of local government officials and employees, pledging the Ministry's commitment to ongoing capacity-building initiatives. He referenced the recently launched Local Economic Development Policy (2024-2029), along with its Implementation Plan and accompanying Practitioners’ Manual, as a key step towards empowering local economies and promoting sustainable development.

"The goal of the new policy," the Minister stated, "is to create a conducive environment at the district level for local business growth, decent employment opportunities, and economic empowerment for all Ghanaians. This will drive the broader agenda of decentralisation and sustainable local governance."

The conference featured a series of plenary and parallel sessions, with participants delving into a range of pertinent themes, including Building Local Economies for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity, Governance Dynamics for Balancing Authority and Efficiency, Decentralisation, Inclusive Governance and Development, and Building Sustainable and Healthy Communities for a Resilient Future. These discussions aimed to equip stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of local governance.

Attendees included representatives from MLGDRD, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the ILGS, and partner institutions such as the University of Ghana, GIMPA, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Education, Winneba. International organisations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as well as participants from countries including the USA, Burkina Faso, India, Palestine, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, also contributed to the dialogue.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity for cross-border learning and collaboration, furthering the global commitment to decentralisation as a means to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

SOURCE:  Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)