By Rebecca Ekpe
Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to go beyond showcasing physical infrastructure and highlight the less visible, but equally important, impacts of decentralization.
Speaking at the 2nd National Dialogue on Decentralization and Responsive Governance, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed her appreciation for the exhibition mounted as part of the dialogue, describing it as an effective demonstration of the tangible achievements of decentralization.
“Yes, I’m impressed by the exhibition which shows the tangibles. I want to suggest that we also add the intangibles,” she said.
The Vice President noted that while roads, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure provide visible evidence of development, decentralization also produces significant outcomes that may not be immediately visible.
She encouraged the Assemblies to document and communicate these intangible gains, including improved community participation, strengthened local leadership, employment opportunities, enhanced access to public services, citizen engagement and the empowerment of local communities to influence decisions that affect their lives.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that telling the complete story of decentralization requires capturing both its physical achievements and the human and institutional changes taking place at the local level.
Her call forms part of broader efforts to strengthen responsive governance, accountability and local development under Ghana’s decentralization agenda.
The 2nd National Dialogue is being held under the theme: “Resetting Democratic Decentralization for Accountable Public Service Delivery and Accelerated Local Development.”
