Deeping Decentralisation in Ghana: Is More Districts the Way Forward?

Abstract:

It is statutory that creation of districts in Ghana should be determined by factors including particularly population size and economic viability of the areas concerned. From 1988 - 2012, the number of districts in the country almost doubled from 110 to 216. Similarly, population also doubled from 12 million in 1984 to 24 million in 2010.

An assessment of various revenue sources to the districts, however, revealed that general contributions of Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to the total revenue of the districts are miserably insignificant. The District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) is specifically noted to be a major developmental fund in the districts than the IGF.

Given the correspondence between population growth and the rising number of districts in the country, the study established that the creation of new districts in Ghana is influenced largely by population size to the neglect of economic viability of the areas.

It is therefore concluded that creation of more districts in Ghana is only prudent if the economic viability of the areas can be guaranteed to ensure autonomy and reduce overdependence of the districts on grants and the DACF, in particular.