GOV • SHS 1Term 2WAEC / WASSCE SyllabusVIP Lesson
Local Government Systems & Decentralization in Ghana
Evolution of local government, the three-tier MMDA structure, District Chief Executives (DCEs), District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), and challenges.
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Real-World Context & Relevance in Ghana
Residents pay building permit fees and property rates directly to their local Municipal Assembly (e.g. Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly in Accra).
Key Syllabus Learning Objectives
- 1Examine the constitutional structure of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs)
- 2Analyze the appointment and approval procedure for District Chief Executives (DCEs)
- 3Evaluate the role of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and IGF in community development
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Comprehensive Syllabus Study Notes
• Decentralization Concept: Devolution of political, administrative, and fiscal powers from the central national government to local sub-national assemblies.
• Structure of Local Government in Ghana (1992 Constitution & Local Governance Act, 2016):
- Metropolitan Assemblies (Population > 250,000, e.g. AMA, KMA, STMA).
- Municipal Assemblies (Population > 95,000).
- District Assemblies (Population > 75,000).
- Sub-structures: Urban/Zonal/Town/Area Councils and Unit Committees.
• Composition of MMDAs:
- 70% of members elected directly by universal adult suffrage on a non-partisan basis.
- 30% of members appointed by the President in consultation with traditional authorities and interest groups.
- The District Chief Executive (DCE/MCE): Nominated by the President and approved by at least two-thirds of assembly members present and voting.
• Financing Local Government:
- District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF): Constitutional provision (Article 252) allocating not less than 5% of total national revenue to assemblies for local development.
- Internally Generated Funds (IGF): Property rates, market tolls, license fees.
- Decentralization Concept: Devolution of political, administrative, and fiscal powers from the central national government to local sub-national assemblies.
- Structure of Local Government in Ghana (1992 Constitution & Local Governance Act, 2016):
- Metropolitan Assemblies (Population > 250,000, e.g. AMA, KMA, STMA).
- Municipal Assemblies (Population > 95,000).
- District Assemblies (Population > 75,000).
- Sub-structures: Urban/Zonal/Town/Area Councils and Unit Committees.
- Composition of MMDAs:
- 70% of members elected directly by universal adult suffrage on a non-partisan basis.
- 30% of members appointed by the President in consultation with traditional authorities and interest groups.
- The District Chief Executive (DCE/MCE): Nominated by the President and approved by at least two-thirds of assembly members present and voting.
- Financing Local Government:
- District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF): Constitutional provision (Article 252) allocating not less than 5% of total national revenue to assemblies for local development.
- Internally Generated Funds (IGF): Property rates, market tolls, license fees.
Practical Example:
Residents pay building permit fees and property rates directly to their local Municipal Assembly (e.g. Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly in Accra).
Core Takeaway:
Under Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution, Parliament must allocate NOT LESS THAN 5% of total national revenue annually to the DACF.
WAEC / WASSCE Examiner Tips
- Under Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution, Parliament must allocate NOT LESS THAN 5% of total national revenue annually to the DACF.
Common Candidate Pitfalls & Errors to Avoid
- Confusing the District Chief Executive with the elected assembly chairperson.
- Calling regional assemblies the top tier of Ghana's local government structure.
- Giving the Common Fund percentage without saying what it is a percentage of.
- Describing decentralisation as the same as deconcentration.
- Listing challenges of local government without naming the dependence on central transfers.
Topic Mastery Checklist
- Examine the constitutional structure of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs)
- Analyze the appointment and approval procedure for District Chief Executives (DCEs)
- Evaluate the role of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and IGF in community development
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