Decentralization : improving governance in sub-Saharan Africa -- Ghana case study

This report evaluates the impact of the program to date. Research and interviews were conducted in three rural districts which were created as a result of the 1988 decentralization law - - Asante Akim South in the Ashanti region, Bongo in the Upper East region, and North Tongu in the Volta region. Information is provided on the districts" governmental processes and health and education departments. The report concludes that Ghana"s program of decentralization is well-intentioned but has not gone far enough in devolving true authority to rural populations and their local government units. Due to a lack of resources, district governments are currently incapable of delivering goods and services. Funds raised from local taxes have been spent on bureaucratic structures, and virtually none have gone toward services. Whatever development does occur is for the most part funded and/or organized at the village level; in fact, in Mafia Kumasi the district government is impeding the development process by taking market fees away from the village and doing a poorer job. To redress the situation, the districts must: (1) improve economic efficiency, (2) adapt bureaucracies to local needs, and (3) become more service oriented by promoting local self-governing village institutions.