The Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye, says since decentralisation means bringing government closer to citizens the process must constantly impact the lives of the people.According to her decentralisation is an essentially practical thing, which involves local economic development, proper waste management, and provision of public places of convenience, markets as well as bye-laws to ensure law and order Dr. Ofei-Aboagye was speaking at a capacity building forum at the Institute of Local Government Studies, at Madina in Accra.The focus of the workshop was "Making Decentralisation and Local Governance Effective”. It was organised by the German Development Service, DED in collaboration with Philip Foundation Programme, an NGO. The more than 40 participants included District Coordinating Directors, Planning Officers, Chiefs, media practitioners and civil society groups. Dr. Ofei-Aboagye's presentation was titled “Making Decentralisation a Practical Reality”. She noted that effective decentralisation does not only influence people in the way they eat, grow, stay healthy or get educated, but it is a platform that builds the citizens confidence in governance.This allows them to feel free to access the structures to receive and demand answers to their development problems. She cautioned against any tendencies on the part of local government officials which can make the grassroots people lose ownership of the decentralisation process.An official of the German Financial Cooperation, Dr. Wolfgang Weth said donor partners will continue to support Ghana"s decentralisation programme because it is one of the governance structures vital for further social and economic development in the country.He called for a consensus among Development Planners as well as a clear understanding of the Government’s development strategy, saying these are critical in enhancing the decentralisation process.The Coordinator of Good Governance of the German Development Service, DED, Miss Annette Turmann, said commitment, selflessness and the love to find innovative solution to issues at the grassroots play crucial roles in bringing about an efficient local government process. The Executive Director of Philip Foundation Programme, Boating Mensah, in his remark said Civil Society Organisations, are important partners in the development of every country.As such government and Civil Society must see themselves as partners in development to strengthen their relationship, but not view each other with suspicion and mistrust since it tends to undermine development.