Study on decentralisation in Ghana and the role of District Assemblies in the delivery of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene promotion

WaterAid Ghana investigated the capability of the Ghanaian government to reach the Millennium Development Goals. In the past ministries, departments and agencies used to work to much top-down. At the moment the Ghanaian government tries to involve the District Assemblies in the delivery of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene promotion. Analysis of the current decentralisation situation of Ghana reveals two clear levels, which portray the realities on the ground : 1) devolution of major political and administrative responsibilities from central government to District Assemblies, comprising partially elected bodies with the mandate for local government and local community development; 2) a process of administrative and technical deconcentration practised by the ministries, departments and agencies that plan and deliver specific services to communities - water and sanitation, health, education, agriculture etc. Some challenges and bottlenecks have been outlined which need to be streamlined, such as financial constraints, high poverty levels culminating in the inability of beneficiaries to meet capital cost contribution, local perceptions to the use of free water from streams/springs/rivers etc., resulting in the refusal of communities to pay for safe water and capacity as well as resource constraints of DAs to fund education and communication campaigns at district level.
This study identified several areas of collaboration, including support for policy development, building bridges between sectors and forming partnerships, development of appropriate technologies, developing strategies for effective resource mobilisation, capacity building and institutional strengthening initiatives, promoting approaches for advocacy and social mobilisation and development of an effective monitoring and evaluation system.