Dr. Gameli Dominic Hoedoafia officially assumed office as the Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) on Monday, February 17, 2025, following a formal handover ceremony at the IMCCoD Secretariat. This transition marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s decentralisation agenda and reaffirms the government’s commitment to strengthening local governance structures.

The IMCCoD, established in 2010, serves as the central institutional mechanism for inter-sectoral policy coordination on decentralisation and local governance. Its mandate is to ensure that Ghana’s local government system is effectively administered to drive rapid development through accelerated decentralisation and efficient service delivery.

Commitment to Decentralisation and Local Governance

During the handover ceremony, the outgoing Executive Secretary, Mr. Dennis Edward Aboagye, expressed confidence in His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to appoint Dr. Hoedoafia. He highlighted Dr. Hoedoafia’s vast experience and expertise in decentralisation and local governance and urged the Secretariat’s staff to extend their full cooperation and support to ensure the successful implementation of government policies in the sector.

Vision for IMCCoD

In his address, Dr. Hoedoafia expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Executive Secretary and the Secretariat’s staff for their warm reception. He reaffirmed his commitment to teamwork, innovation, and transformational strategies that will position IMCCoD as the leading coordinating body in Ghana’s decentralisation process.

Key among his priorities is the review and finalisation of the Draft National Decentralisation Policy (2025-2029), which will serve as the blueprint for Ghana’s decentralisation reforms. Additionally, he outlined plans to:

• Strengthen collaboration with Development Partners through bilateral dialogues and the revitalisation of the Decentralisation Sector Working Group.

• Enhance partnerships with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to improve local governance and service delivery.

• Institutionalise the National Decentralisation Dialogue to provide a platform for stakeholders to share insights, perspectives, and best practices in decentralisation.

Legislative Reforms and Policy Implementation

Dr. Hoedoafia emphasised the importance of legislative reforms in accelerating decentralisation. He highlighted plans to:

• Advocate for the enactment of the District Assemblies Borrowing Act to strengthen fiscal decentralisation.

• Ensure the full operationalisation of L.I. 1961, facilitating the devolution of government departments to the District Assemblies.

• Prioritise the decentralisation of key sectors such as Education and Health, improving service delivery at the local level and enhancing governance efficiency.

Call to Action

Dr. Hoedoafia concluded by urging IMCCoD staff to uphold excellence, dedication, and professionalism in their work, emphasizing that the Secretariat plays a critical role in ensuring improved public service delivery through decentralisation reforms and policies. He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening local governance structures, ensuring that decentralisation in Ghana remains inclusive, participatory, and development-driven.

With this renewed vision and leadership, IMCCoD is poised to advance Ghana’s decentralisation agenda, fostering a governance system that is responsive, transparent, and accountable to the needs of local communities.