A bigger master in the Inter-governmentalism game? Implications of the central-local relations on local government and NGOs relations in Ghana

The influence on the central government and its agencies on local government and its agencies has implications for the behavior of local government in their execution of their mandate. The debate that the influence of central... [ view full abstract ]

The influence on the central government and its agencies on local government and its agencies has implications for the behavior of local government in their execution of their mandate. The debate that the influence of central government on local government will continue in as long as the centre seeks to perpetuate its grips on power both at the central and local levels has been ongoing. The search for legitimacy on the hand drives the local government to subordinate its powers to central government has also been noted. However, the literature rarely treats the implications of central-local relations for the relations between local government and NGOs. This study seeks to address this research gap by analyzing the influence of central – local relations on local government and NGOs relations in Ghana. This study seeks to contribute to the literature that central – local relations have influence beyond the state level into third sector agencies. To understand the forces which either facilitate or constrain the relationship existing between local government and NGOs, it would be important to understand the nature of the relationship between local government and the central government in Ghana. An understanding of these relations would facilitate an understanding of some of the forces that can facilitate or constrain the local government’s relation with NGOs. This paper reviews those relationships and how they have been shaped in the past. Section 10 [6] [a] of the Local Government Act of 1993, Act 462 states that in the performance of its functions, local government “is subject to the general guidance and direction of the President on matters of national policy” In view of this, their operations and many of their activities are directed by central government or they follow guidelines developed by national institutions. Within the conceptualisation of decentralisation as transfer of power from the centre to the local for functional delivery of services, the framework for the relationship between the two institutions is determined.