64% of Ghanaians oppose new districts
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Illustrative image · David Iloba · Pexels · Licence PexelsA survey by the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy indicates that 64% of respondents consider Ghana’s 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies sufficient. It also found that 81% see political interference as an important factor in creating new districts, according to MyJoyOnline.
64% of people surveyed in Ghana believe the 261 existing metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are sufficient and do not want new districts to be created, according to a survey by the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), MyJoyOnline reports. The survey also indicates that 87% of respondents want a freeze on the creation of new districts.
The poll highlights a strong perception of political influence in decentralisation: 81% of respondents consider political interventions to play an important role in the creation of new districts, according to MyJoyOnline. Isaac Owusu, head of research at the CLGA and leader of the team that conducted the survey, said the findings raise questions about the priorities guiding the creation of new administrative units.
Eric Oduro Osae, director-general of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, questioned the value of increasing the number of districts without first assessing the capacity of existing assemblies. He said creating a new district does not in itself guarantee a stronger local economy, better health services, reliable water supplies, better roads, better-performing schools or more jobs, MyJoyOnline reports.
