Regional reorganization in Ghana dates back to colonial times. Politicians and policymakers have resorted to creating regions so long as compelling reasons could be adduced. The current idea of Regional Reorganization was set out in 2018 by the Government of Ghana. This was done to ensure a balanced development, effective administration, and the devolution of power across the country. The creation of a new ministry thus, Ministry of Regional Reorganization, was responsible for supervising the creation of new regions in Ghana.
Several Ghanaians have questioned the justification for the creation of the new regions and indicated that it is a misplaced priority. Some also say that if the increase in Districts from 110 through 170 to 216 could not deal with the challenge of rural poverty and underdevelopment how much more the creation of new regions. The quest for advancing development is challenged by investing in regions that seem to have a political advantage for one party over another. In recent times, the zeal to gain political favour among various regional blocs within the population has been a catalyst for certain policy initiatives including the Zongo Development Fund.
The Zongo Development Fund, established through the Zongo Development Fund Act, 2017, is a ground-breaking affirmative action program in Ghana dedicated to addressing the historical neglect of Zongo communities. Approved on January 2, 2018, the fund focuses on providing financial resources for the social and economic development of marginalized Zongo communities, aligning with the government’s National Medium Term Development agenda (2017-2024) to foster equity, fairness, and inclusion in the nation’s overall development. The Zongo Development Fund since its inception in 2019 is believed to have executed and handed over about 487 projects, benefitting 227 communities across over 12 districts in Ghana.
The policy dialogue theme: “Assessing the impact of Regional Reorganization and the Zongo Development Fund on Ghana’s development” aims at deciphering the questions below:
- What was the government seeking to achieve with these proposals? Fulfilling a campaign promise or achieving development for the people?
- What has been the impact of these two policies on the development of the country?
Join YAFO Institute as we find answers to the above questions in our next policy dialogue.
Date: 27th July 2024
Time: 16:00 UTC
Guest Speaker
Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi-Mensah
Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi-Mensah has been Cambridge International Examination History Educator for the past 10 years. He has a background in legal affairs and has a great interest in social and political and international issues. He is also a public speaker who specializes as a Master of Ceremonies and Moderator. He is also a prolific writer whose works have received some plaudits.
Asamoah Isaac Eli
Policy Scholar, YAFO Institute
Asamoah Isaac Eli is a Development Planner with years of industry experience at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development through the Jaman North District Assembly in the Bono Region and the Sekyere Central District Assembly in the Ashanti Region. He is experienced in designing and implementing short and medium-term Development Plans with particular consideration for Monitoring and Evaluation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Rural Development with specialization in Urban Geography from KNUST. He is also a member of the Sekyere Central District Technical Committee responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and recommending for the approval, and disapproval of building permits in the District. Again, he spearheads social intervention and government safety-net projects including Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW). He has participated in capacity-building training by the National Development Planning Commission, Ghana Statistical Service, and among others. He currently leads the YAFO Policy Scholars Team.
Josephine Boi-Doku
Policy Scholar, YAFO Institute
She is a dedicated research intern at the YAFO Institute. She graduated from the University of Ghana, Legon, with a B.A. Philosophy and Sociology. She is passionate about positively impacting Ghanaian society with her studies. She has competence in data analysis through work as a data entry officer and customer service advisor for small businesses. She is curious and always looking for new information to advance her career. Her satisfaction lies in her ability to work well with others to achieve team goals and in producing top-notch research results. She is dedicated to advancing her professional ladder to make a meaningful contribution to Ghanaian Society. Currently, she is a research intern at both the Centre for Public Policy and Constitutional Governance and the Centre for Free Enterprise and Innovation at the YAFO Institute.
Host
Nathaniel Dwamena
President, YAFO Institute
