The effectiveness of decentralization policy in Ghana

Abstract

This research aims at assessing the effectiveness of decentralization policies in Ghana with a case
study conducted at Komenda–Edina–Eguafo–Abaim (KEEA) and Abura–Asebua-Kwamankese (AAK)
districts in the Central Region of Ghana, the formulation and implementation of the policies and how
they relate to the health, education and water sectors in the country. An interview guide was used to
obtain answers from respondents numbering fifty-six. The population for the study comprised all
stakeholders concerned with decentralization in the education, health and water sectors in the Central
Region of Ghana. They included the Head, Policy Planning, Development partners, Co-ordination Unit -
Ministry of Education, Director General - Ghana Education Service, Deputy Director Administration,
Ghana Health Service, Managing Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Unit. Frequencies,
percentage, and tests of independence were used to analyze the data. From the study, majority of
respondents were males who were 40 years and above with high educational background, reflecting
males’ dominance over females in influential positions in the country. Some respondents had gone
through secondary education or higher. In addition, most of them had been working in the communities
and the Sectors for a long time. In sum, responses on the research questions indicate that the
decentralization exercise in the two districts has been effective and secondly, the level of integration of
the three sectors at the district level has been quite high and met the decentralization objectives.