Local Government Minister criticises Akufo-Addo administration over weak decentralisation

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has strongly criticised the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing it of leaving behind a weak and under-resourced local governance system.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, the Minister said the current government inherited a decentralisation framework that was largely ineffective due to chronic underfunding and poor policy implementation.

According to him, the situation significantly weakened the ability of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deliver essential services and execute development projects.

“The government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama inherited in 2025 a dysfunctional local governance sector and decentralisation structure, occasioned by lack of adequate resources for the MMDAs to perform,” he stated.

Concerns Over DACF Disbursement and Policy Gaps

Mr Ibrahim argued that the challenges in the sector were not new, noting that concerns had previously been raised by officials, including the former administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).

He accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of failing to prioritise decentralisation, particularly in relation to the management and disbursement of the DACF.

According to him, the fund was:

Irregular and inconsistent in disbursement
Below expected allocation levels
Poorly managed in terms of oversight and guidance

“The District Assemblies Common Fund was not fully forthcoming. It was not regular. It was very erratic,” he said.

He further alleged that less than 50 percent of DACF allocations were consistently transferred directly to MMDAs over a period of nearly seven years, limiting their operational capacity.

The Minister also criticised the previous administration for failing to issue operational guidelines for the use of the fund beyond 2017, describing this as a violation of the Local Governance Act, which mandates regular guidelines to ensure proper utilisation and accountability.

“They only issued guidelines for the first year, 2017, and stopped,” he added.

Impact on Local Development

Mr Ibrahim stressed that these shortcomings had far-reaching consequences, including:

Delayed infrastructure development projects
Poor service delivery at the local level
Reduced efficiency in governance structures
Weak accountability mechanisms within assemblies

He argued that the lack of consistent funding and policy direction undermined decentralisation efforts, which are critical for grassroots development and participatory governance.

New Measures to Improve Accountability and Sanitation

As part of efforts to reform the sector, the Minister outlined new initiatives aimed at improving sanitation monitoring and accountability across communities.

Key measures include:

Deployment of Sanitation Officers

Motorbikes have been procured to support sanitation officers
Newly recruited youth will serve as “sanitation ambassadors”
Officers will patrol major streets and monitor environmental conditions

Introduction of Public Reporting Systems

Dedicated phone lines and a call centre will be established
Citizens can report sanitation issues in real time
Complaints will be logged and tracked systematically

“When you see any filthy area, you call the call centre, and that one will be registered,” he explained.

Mr Ibrahim noted that the system is designed to reduce human interference and improve transparency in sanitation management.

“It’s not about my interest… the human factor is going to be taken out,” he said.

Performance-Based Monitoring

The Minister added that the new framework will rely on observable environmental conditions to assess the performance of local officials and assemblies.

Sanitation levels within communities will serve as measurable indicators, ensuring that officials are held accountable based on tangible outcomes rather than subjective assessments.

“It is that evidence that will be used to assess performance,” he emphasised.

Broader Governance Implications

The Minister’s remarks signal a renewed focus by the current administration on strengthening decentralisation, improving fiscal discipline, and enhancing service delivery at the local level.

While the criticisms of the previous government are likely to spark political debate, the proposed reforms are expected to play a key role in reshaping Ghana’s local governance system and restoring public confidence in decentralised institutions.