In a landmark step towards strengthening local governance, the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCC) has convened the first-ever National Dialogue on Decentralisation and Responsive Governance in Accra.

The two-day event, held on 25–26 September 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel under the theme “Resetting Decentralisation for Responsive Local Governance and Effective Service Delivery,” brought together ministers, regional leaders, MPs, district chief executives, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, academia, civil society organisations, and the media.

A Turning Point in Ghana’s Decentralisation Journey

Welcoming participants, Dr Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, Executive Secretary of IMCC, described the dialogue as a historic moment in Ghana’s governance reforms. He highlighted the constitutional foundations of decentralisation dating back to 1992, stressing that effective service delivery at the local level is essential to democracy.

“Decentralisation is not a policy luxury; it is a democratic necessity,” he said, while urging stakeholders to find practical solutions to fiscal and institutional challenges, including the debate on the election of MMDCEs.

Government’s Commitment

In her keynote address, Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening decentralisation as a pillar of national development.

“Building a capable state must begin with functional and ethical local governments,” she stated. The Vice President cited over GHS 2 billion disbursed through the District Assemblies Common Fund and outlined the government’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to expand the Fund, boost local revenue mobilisation, and advance reforms toward the election of MMDCEs.

She urged participants to “envision a Ghana where governance is closer to the people, institutions are responsive, and citizens are active participants in shaping their paths.”

Charting the Way Forward

The dialogue provided a platform for reflection, consensus-building, and policy refinement, with contributions from experts, practitioners, and citizens expected to inform Ghana’s National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy (2026–2030).

Notable attendees included Prof Kwamina Ahwoi, Mr Alex Segbefia, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, and Dr Esther Offei-Aboagye, alongside senior government officials, development partners such as the Swiss Embassy, GIZ, and KfW, as well as leading academics.

About the IMCC

The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation is Ghana’s apex body for coordinating decentralisation and local governance policies. Chaired by the President, it provides strategic direction, accelerates reforms, and oversees the implementation of the National Decentralisation Policy and Action Plan.