Local Government Minister Criticises Akufo-Addo Administration Over “Dysfunctional” Decentralisation System
Ahmed Ibrahim cites funding gaps, irregular DACF disbursement, outlines new sanitation reforms
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has criticised the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing it of leaving behind a weak and under-resourced local governance system.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, Mr Ibrahim said the current government under John Dramani Mahama inherited a decentralisation structure that was not functioning effectively due to inadequate funding.
According to him, the situation significantly affected the ability of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deliver essential services and implement development projects.
“The government… inherited in 2025 a dysfunctional local governance sector and decentralisation structure, occasioned by lack of adequate resources for the MMDAs to perform,” he stated.
Mr Ibrahim further alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration failed to prioritise decentralisation, particularly in the management of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
He claimed that disbursement of the DACF was inconsistent and inadequate, noting that less than 50 percent of the fund was transferred directly to the assemblies over nearly seven years.
“The District Assemblies Common Fund was not fully forthcoming. It was not regular. It was very erratic,” he said.
The Minister also accused the previous administration of failing to issue operational guidelines for the fund beyond 2017, describing it as a violation of the Local Governance Act, which requires regular directives to guide its use.
Meanwhile, Mr Ibrahim outlined a series of reforms aimed at improving accountability and sanitation management at the local level.
He announced that motorbikes have been procured for sanitation officers to enhance monitoring across communities, with newly recruited youth serving as sanitation ambassadors to patrol key streets.
In addition, he revealed plans to introduce dedicated phone lines and a call centre to enable the public to report sanitation issues in real time.
“When you see any filthy area, you call the call centre, and that one will be registered,” he explained.
According to the Minister, the new system is designed to minimise human interference and ensure transparency, with performance assessments of local officials based on observable sanitation conditions within their jurisdictions.
The measures form part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen local governance and improve service delivery across the country.
