Rhetorically decentralised, practically recentralised: a review of the local governance system of Ghana

Main Article Content

David Anaafo

Abstract

There is currently a global quest to decentralise government functions, which has resonated well with many developing countries. Ghana has over the last few decades embraced decentralisation in principle, as a way of promoting inclusive, efficient, accountable and bottom-up local-level governance. However, it is unclear how successfully this vision is being achieved.  Using a heuristic continuum as an analytical framework, this study conducted a literature- and statute-based politico-administrative review of the local governance system of Ghana to ascertain the extent of decentralisation. The study concludes that the legislative, political and administrative arrangements in place make it easy for the centre to usurp the powers of local authorities.


Keywords
Ghana, decentralisation, recentralisation, politico-administrative

Article Details

How to Cite
Anaafo, D. (2019). Rhetorically decentralised, practically recentralised: a review of the local governance system of Ghana. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (21), Article ID 6516. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i21.6516
Section
Research and Evaluation (peer-reviewed)