The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation Secretariat, convened the maiden meeting of the Decentralisation Sector Working Group (DSWG) since the inception of the new government.

The meeting brought together key representatives of the Government of Ghana (GoG) and Development Partners in a spirit of collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing Ghana’s decentralisation agenda.

In the meeting, IMCC Executive Secretary Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia thanked members for their participation, noting that the high-level dialogue underscores the government’s dedication to deepening local governance, and ensuring that decentralisation remains a key pillar of Ghana’s development agenda.

He emphasised that the DSWG is a high-level platform which enhances policy coordination, prevents duplication of efforts and provides the space for policy dialogue between the government of Ghana and Development Partners (DPs) to accelerate decentralisation reforms, ensure resources efficiency and promote effective delivery of services at the local level.

The meeting, which was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, was chaired by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim.

He reaffirmed the government's dedication to decentralisation under the Reset Agenda, emphasizing that the 2024 electoral victory signified a strong public endorsement of these reforms.

He also noted that, a primary focus of the governments decentralisation agenda, is the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on a non-partisan basis.

This is in response to the long-highlighted concern by Civil society and other stakeholders about the undemocratic nature of the current appointment system.

The Minister outlined several key priorities aimed at strengthening local governance. He underscored the government’s commitment to increase the share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) from 5% to 7.5%, ensuring equitable distribution to support development at the local level.

He reiterated that, while this is in process, the president has directed the Administrator of the DACF to ensure the release of 80 percent of the fund budget directly to the District Assemblies in 2025.

Other focus areas include enhancing the roles of traditional and religious leaders, improving sanitation and waste management through policy reforms, and strengthening local governance structures.

A significant initiative in this regard is the planned establishment of the University of Local Governance and Development aimed at providing specialized training for local government officials.

The session concluded with a unified commitment to sustain collaboration, enhance coordination, undertake regular policy dialogue and review, as well as ensure the strengthening of institutional frameworks to enhance the implementation of Ghana’s National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy.