The major problems of local government authorities in Ghana and West Africa are inadequate financial resources, shortage of skilled personnel, poor attitude to work, political interference, corruption, local apathy, and conflicts over the creation of new local authorities as well as the siting of the district capitals.
I want you to take this WAEC/WASSCE/NECO question about the problems of local government seriously. The reason is it is one of the most repeated WAEC/ WASSCE Government essay questions.
What are Local Government Authorities?
Local government authorities are semi-autonomous bodies established by law to administer the affairs of their areas of jurisdiction.
A local government is, therefore, a system of administration designed to increase the participation of the local people in political administration.
In Ghana, for example, PNDC Law 207 of 1988 created Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that see to the day-to-day administration of their areas of control.
Agona West Municipal Assembly, Gomoa Central District Assembly, and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly are among the over two hundred local governments in the 16 administrative regions of Ghana as of 2021.
The official title of the head of a local government (district, municipal or metropolitan assembly) in Ghana is Chief Executive (DCE or MCE).
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Problems of Local Government
The problems of local government administration vary from country to country. They are, basically, challenges of decentralization that most countries face. These problems faced by local government authorities in West Africa and other developing countries are largely determined by the specific country’s level of development and the type of government.
Below are the major problems of local government authorities in Ghana. These generally apply to other West African countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
1. Inadequate Financial Resources
The first major problem facing local government administration is inadequate funding. Consequently, this makes it difficult for them to carry out their functions effectively.
It is true that the central government provides grants such as the District Assemblies Common Fund. Also, the local government councils, on their own, generate revenue from levies, licenses, fines, and so on.
However, these grants and levies are woefully inadequate. They are not able to meet the increasing needs of the local administration.
2. Lack of Skilled Personnel
The next problem of local governance in developing countries like Ghana is the lack of competent and skilled personnel. Most qualified individuals with the requisite technical know-how are unwilling to work in rural areas.
Moreover, the conditions of service for such jobs are not attractive enough to encourage graduates to enter the local government service.
3. Corruption
Corruption remains a major problem facing most local government administrations in Ghana. Embezzlement of local government funds and general financial mismanagement have made it difficult for district assemblies to achieve their objectives.
For instance, it is an open secret that much of the revenue collected by the officials are not properly accounted for.
4. Political Interference
There is also political interference in the affairs of local government administration. Politicians such as ministers and Members of Parliament often dictate to the local government administration.
After national elections, a new party in government tends to disrupt the smooth running of MMDAs with too many political tactics. Summary dismissal of perceived political opponents and appointment of unqualified party cronies tend to undermine the efficiency of district assemblies in Ghana.
5. Poor Attitude to Work
The fifth problem of local governance in developing countries like Ghana is the poor attitude to work on the part of the staff of these institutions. Most workers in District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies are guilty of laziness, stealing, absenteeism, and lateness to work among others.
This attitude worsens the financial and logistic woes of the local governments.
6. Conflicts and Agitations
In Ghana, it is not uncommon to see the work of local governments put on hold while the people fight with the central government over unnecessary issues.
Mostly, conflicts arise over the delimitation of local government boundaries, creation of new districts, the appointment of district chief executives and presiding members as well as the location of administrative capitals.
In such cases, there is so much waste of time that the development of the area is left to suffer.
7. Local Apathy
Finally, the people at the grassroots tend to show very little interest in what goes on in their local governments. This makes it difficult for the local government to know their views and enlist their support in their activities.
Final thoughts
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