The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation has reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepening democratic decentralisation and strengthening Ghana’s local governance system.
According to the Committee, decentralisation remains a foundation for accountable governance, responsive public service delivery and accelerated local development.
The reaffirmation was made at a high-level meeting of the IMCC held at the Peduase Lodge on Monday, August 31, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The meeting focused on strategic policy, institutional, legislative, financing and implementation priorities for advancing Ghana’s decentralisation agenda, in line with the Committee’s mandate under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
In her opening remarks, the Vice President underscored the centrality of decentralisation to effective governance.
She emphasised that “bringing decision-making and public services closer to citizens is essential to improving governance and strengthening the relationship between the State and the people.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that decentralisation must ultimately improve the welfare of citizens and protect the environment, “with participation and inclusion at the heart of the governance process.”
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to advancing devolution and strengthening citizen participation in local governance, stressing the need to “move decisively from policy formulation to implementation.”
She added that the approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (NDPS 2026–2030) provides an important foundation, while “its success will depend on translating policy into tangible results at the local level.”
The meeting also received an update from the Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, on progress made by the Secretariat in creating the conditions necessary for effective implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (2026–2030).
Dr. Hoedoafia highlighted ongoing work by the Secretariat, in collaboration with Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other stakeholders, to advance legislative and administrative reforms, including work related to the review of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), and the legislative framework governing the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals.
The Executive Secretary further highlighted efforts to strengthen public awareness and citizen engagement, recognising that “effective decentralisation requires informed citizen participation, ownership, and accountability.”
The Committee gave particular attention to financing, including the mainstreaming of decentralisation priorities into sector plans and budgets, increased District Assemblies Common Fund allocations to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), enhanced internally generated revenue, and efforts to expand the fiscal space for local development.
Progress towards the devolution of key sectors, including education, health and roads, was also considered, with discussions highlighting the institutional, legislative, financing and capacity requirements necessary to transfer functions effectively to the local level.
The IMCC reaffirmed that the successful implementation of Ghana’s decentralisation agenda “requires a coordinated, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving central government institutions, the Local Government Service, MMDAs, development partners, civil society, traditional authorities, academia, and citizens.”
The Committee therefore reaffirmed its commitment to providing strategic policy coordination and oversight to accelerate implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (2026–2030), “with emphasis on effective devolution, sustainable financing, institutional coordination, citizen participation, and measurable improvements in local governance and public service delivery.”
The meeting was attended by members of the Committee and other key stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the IMCC Technical Committee, Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi, and the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The IMCC, established under Section 204 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), serves as the key national institutional mechanism for inter-sectoral policy coordination on decentralisation. It is chaired by the President or Vice President and comprises key Ministers and heads of relevant public institutions.
