Kwadwo Adjei Darko, a former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has issued a formal call for a critical reassessment of Ghana’s local governance system, proposing a significant shift: the removal of MPs’ allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). This proposal stems from a deep-seated belief that MPs should no longer benefit from this vital resource, arguing that their role should be concentrated within elected Assembly Members, strengthening grassroots development and deepening decentralization.
According to Mr. Darko, the current arrangement fundamentally undermines the constitutional principle of decentralization and weakens the vital role of Assembly Members, who are directly accountable to their communities. He argues that the current system, established in 1988 under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) law, initially transferred responsibilities to local levels without corresponding financial resources, describing it as ‘deconcentration’ rather than genuine decentralization.
Mr. Darko highlights that Ghana’s decentralisation process began in 1988 under the PNDC law, establishing District Assemblies under this law. However, the initial implementation largely transferred responsibilities to local levels without adequate financial resources, a situation he describes as ‘deconcentration’. He further points out that the 1992 Constitution significantly advanced decentralisation through the establishment of the District Assemblies Common Fund under Article 252, and that Article 240 mandates Parliament to ensure the transfer of functions, powers, responsibilities, and resources from central government to local government institutions.
He contends that although these constitutional provisions have facilitated delegation of responsibilities to local authorities, Ghana remains to achieve true devolution, where local authorities possess meaningful autonomy, adequate resources, and corresponding accountability. The Presiding Members of Ashanti Region, during the conference, underscored the importance of prioritizing development over political considerations.
Mr. Adjei Darko emphasized that effective leadership at the local level should be measured by the positive impact leaders have on their communities, not by their positions within the Assembly. He stated, “Leadership is not measured by the authority we possess but by the positive change we inspire. Communities do not remember leaders for the titles they held; they remember them for the problems they solved,” stressing that community members are more focused on tangible outcomes than political titles.
Furthermore, he urged Presiding Members to shift their focus from presiding over meetings to actively promoting accountability, consensus-building, and developmental initiatives within their communities. He specifically noted that, although many perceive Presiding Members primarily as officials who chair Assembly meetings, their responsibilities extend far beyond simply presiding over debates. He advocated for Presiding Members to use their positions to promote accountability, foster consensus-building, and drive development at the grassroots level, ensuring that local authorities are empowered to effectively address the needs of their constituents.
The President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Alfred Asiedu Adjei, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for Presiding Members to prioritize community development over political maneuvering. He stated that effective leadership at the local level should be judged by the positive impact leaders have on the lives of their communities, not by their position within the Assembly.
The discussion highlighted the critical role Presiding Members play in the effective functioning of Ghana’s local governance system, emphasizing the importance of their leadership in shaping communities and driving progress. The conference underscored that although many perceive Presiding Members primarily as officials, their responsibilities extend far beyond presiding over debates, advocating for a paradigm shift in their approach, toward empowering local authorities and fostering sustainable development.
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Source: Adom Online
