Ghana Urged to Reform Local Government Amidst Rising Dissatisfaction

Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), is urging stakeholders, especially political figures, to urgently address the growing public dissatisfaction with Ghana’s current local government system. He expressed concerns that many Ghanaians feel the system fails to meet basic needs such as job creation, healthcare, and education.

Speaking at the 75th Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) at the University of Ghana on January 9, 2024, Dr. Akwetey highlighted the frustration among the populace, some of whom have lost hope in the system and are calling for military coups. He stressed the importance of addressing these concerns promptly.

According to a report by Graphic Online, Dr Akwetey pointed out that the local government system is crucial for meeting people’s needs and must function effectively. He criticized the current hybrid type of democracy practiced in Ghana, calling for a reassessment as it has “failed completely” and poses a “real threat” to the country’s stability.

He acknowledged that while the current system has brought some stability and development, it leaves much to be desired. Dr. Akwetey argued for the need to reform the prohibition of political party participation in district-level elections, advocating for more inclusive governance and effective public service delivery.

IDEG is championing proposals for reforms, including the creation of a Council for Local Development and Governance (CLDG) and the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation System (MMPR). These reforms aim to integrate traditional leaders into the development process and enhance representation in local governance.

Dr. Akwetey also addressed the lack of consensus on the approach to reforms, identifying it as both a challenge and an opportunity. He criticized the 1992 Constitution for leading to a winner-take-all system where two major parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have dominated the political landscape to exclude other parties.

He noted that since 2016, no other political parties have won a seat in parliament, and control at the local government level is equally concentrated in the hands of these two parties. This concentration of power, he explained, is due to Article 55(3) of the constitution, which prevents political parties from participating in local governance but inadvertently hands over control to the ruling party.

To create an enabling environment for political and economic transformation, Dr. Akwetey emphasized that systemic problems with the local government system must be addressed first.

Also speaking on the panel was Professor Atsu Ayee, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Ghana. He advocated for a party-based local government system, citing the current system’s fragmentation and lack of viability. Prof. Ayee called for building strong institutions to address challenges associated with Ghana’s local government system.