VZCZCXRO6338
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0813/01 2311443
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191443Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8145
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000813 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM GH
SUBJECT: MILLS ADMINISTRATION FOCUS ON DECENTRALIZATION 
 
SUMMARY 
 
¶1. (SBU) Recent statements by senior Ghanaian officials suggest a 
renewed focus on decentralization as the Mills Administration moves 
to implement its agenda.  President Mills has designated the 
Minister for Local Government as point person for decentralization, 
which officials claim will enhance the powers of district and 
municipal assemblies, and foster local participation in governance 
and decision making.  The GOG has promised transparency, nationwide 
consultations, improved competency, and a firm financial backing for 
local assemblies.  Vice President Mahama has called for direct 
election of District Chief Executives, and stated that the 
Government would consider constitutional amendments to advance its 
policy.  While the rhetoric indicates a serious approach to 
decentralization, it remains to be seen what concrete steps the 
government will take in an effort that could limit its hard-won 
presidential powers. End Summary. 
 
NDC Platform Commits Party to Renewed Decentralization 
 
¶2. (U) During the 2008 election campaign, Mills' National Democratic 
Congress (NDC) party promised to enhance decentralization, and 
revive policies the NDC promoted when it was last in government. 
While decentralization is referenced in Ghana's constitution, the 
country's system of government is in fact highly centralized, and 
there has been little incentive for the party in power to relinquish 
authority to regional or local institutions.  Nevertheless, in its 
party manifesto, the NDC emphasized its commitment to 
decentralization and outlined steps the party would take to 
accelerate decentralization. 
 
GOG Leaders Consider Constitutional Amendments 
 
¶3. (SBU) On August 6, NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia 
(who also serves in the Cabinet) told POL Chief that district and 
municipal assemblies are weaker and less independent than a decade 
ago, and that the government is reviewing decentralization policy to 
halt excessive executive influence.  He said that unqualified 
support staff have made District and Municipal Chief Executives 
autocratic and unaccountable.  Nketia said President Mills has 
designated Minister for Local Government and Rural Development 
Joseph Yieleh Chireh as his point-person for decentralization. 
Nketia added that the NDC is considering constitutional amendments 
to make Parliament more independent and accountable. 
 
¶4. (U) After taking office in March Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister 
for Local Government and Rural Development said that the 
government's goal is to make Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts 
Assemblies (MMDAs) autonomous of the central government, and to 
ensure "transparency in the use of resources for the benefit of the 
people."  Chireh said that the Mills Administration is working to 
empower "officials to independently implement policies at the local 
levels and ensure speedy implementation of programs and projects." 
 
 
¶5. (U) On August 7, Vice President John Mahama called for a review 
of decentralization policy, and said that District Chief Executives 
should be directly elected by the people (Note: Under the 
constitution, DCE's are appointed by the President. End Note).  He 
noted that the government has begun to organize stakeholder 
consultations nationwide to review the process.  On August 15, the 
VP said that the government would hold a constitutional review 
conference in early 2010 to identify areas that require amendments. 
 
Opposition Claims NDC Insincere re Decentralization 
 
¶6. (SBU) On August 13, Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the 
opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), told POL Chief that the party 
in power uses local government positions for two principal reasons: 
(1) to exert political influence at the local level and implement 
its political philosophy; and (2) to dispense government jobs to 
supporters.  Ntow said that there was no genuine will among the 
political leadership of either of Ghana's two main parties to grant 
autonomy to district assemblies as it runs contrary to the ruling 
party's political interests. [Note: Ntow's skepticism is supported 
by a recent spate of violence in many communities, in which NDC 
activists have opposed the President's choices of technocrats as 
Municipal and District Chief Executives rather than party activists. 
 Such instances indicate the challenge the GOG faces in managing the 
expectations of grassroots party members. End Note]. 
 
Comment: 
 
¶7. (SBU) As noted by the NPP General Secretary, a major obstacle to 
decentralization is the fact that the ruling party (whether NPP or 
NDC) has used local government positions to distribute patronage and 
secure power.  To allow direct election of District Chief 
Executives, as suggested by the Vice President, would lead to the 
handover of many key positions (in the NPP-dominated Ashanti region, 
for example) to the opposition.  There are already indications that 
grassroots NDC activists are unhappy with the Government's policy. 
While we believe that President Mills and the NDC leadership is 
 
ACCRA 00000813  002 OF 002 
 
 
sincere in its desire to pursue decentralization, the road ahead 
will be challenging: Mills will have to overcome opposition within 
his own party from those who understand the threat this poses to 
their personal interests.  End Comment. 
 
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