The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCC) has inaugurated a Legislative Review Committee (LRC) to review and harmonise the legal and institutional framework underpinning Ghana’s decentralisation and local governance programme.

At the inaugural meeting of the LRC held at the IMCC Secretariat in Accra, the Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia unveiled the membership of the committee, with distinguished governance expert and statesman Professor Kwamena Ahwoi named as its Chair.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Hoedoafia underscored the importance of the Committee’s work, noting that “the LRC formerly the Legislative Review Taskforce has a distinguished track record, having played a key role in shaping landmark legislation such as the promulgation of the Local Governance Act of 2016 (Act 936), the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act of 2016 (Act 925), the Youth Authority Act, the Sports Authority Act of 2016 (Act 939), the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 2020 (Act 1027), and the legislative instruments for the NDPC Act and the NDPC Systems Act.

"Its establishment is both a strategic and urgent step toward aligning our decentralisation laws with current development realities.”

He lauded Professor Ahwoi’s acceptance to lead the Committee, describing him as the “Father of Decentralisation in Ghana”, and expressed confidence in the Committee’s ability to deliver a comprehensive and forward-looking legal review to strengthen the institutional arrangements within the sector.

In his remarks, Professor Ahwoi reaffirmed his commitment to the task and the broader national decentralisation agenda.

He stressed that effective decentralisation is foundational to sustainable development and praised President John Dramani Mahama for his visionary leadership in advancing decentralisation reforms during his tenure as Vice President and then as President.

“The IMCC has an inter-sectoral policy coordination role, and this Legislative Review Committee will work hard to identify and propose remedies for legal gaps within the various sectoral laws. Dr. Hoedoafia closed the session, assuring the committee of the needed support to carry out its mandate.

The Legislative Review Committee of the IMCC is composed of seasoned legal, policy, and governance professionals, including: Ms. Estelle Appiah – Expert in Legislative Drafting and Peer Review Mechanisms, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye – Former Ranking Member, Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government, Alhaji Ishaq Alhassan – Former Director, Local Governance and Legal Affairs, MLGRD, Dr. Rainer Akumperigya – Legal Practitioner and Secretary, Constitutional Review Committee, Ms. Heidi Boakye – Principal State Attorney, Office of the Attorney-General, Dr. Nana Opare Gyan – Former Director of M&E, NDPC, Hon. Stephen Ankugre – NALAG Council Member and Presiding Member(PM), Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Pln. Samuel Seth Passah – Director for Local Governance and Decentralisation, Dr. Richard Fiadomor – President, Chamber of Local Government, and Ing. Baah Tetteh – Acting Director, Management and Technical Services, Office of the Head of the Local Government Service.