Ghana's Decentralization and Service Delivery: Is the Die Cast?

Abstract

Ghana started implementing its current form of decentralization in 1988. Under this programme, substantial powers and responsibilities were transferred from central to local governments, which marked a significant shift for Ghana's governance system since independence from Great Britain in 1957. More than three decades later, the paper questions whether decentralization has brought about transformative change in the systems, structures and processes of development. The paper reviews the outcomes of the decentralization process and their implications for service delivery in secondary cities in Ghana and oulines what startegies are needed to address these challenges to enhance local level development. Particualr attention is given to the urban context in the face of rapid urbanisation and its ramififcations in Ghana.