Nearly two in three Ghanaians oppose the creation of new districts, according to a survey by the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), which found little public appetite for expanding the country's local government structure.

The survey found that 64 per cent of respondents believe Ghana's 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are already enough. A further 87 per cent called for a freeze on the creation of new districts, while 81 per cent said political interference shapes decisions to create them.

Capacity before expansion

CLGA's head of research, Isaac Owusu, who led the survey, said the findings reflected growing public concern about the direction of decentralisation and the priorities behind creating new districts. Respondents instead want attention paid to whether existing assemblies have the resources and institutional capacity to deliver development.

Dr Eric Oduro Osae, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, questioned the rationale for more districts, arguing that adding administrative units does not automatically produce stronger local economies or better development outcomes.

A political question

The creation of districts has long been contentious in Ghana, with critics saying it is often driven by political considerations rather than need. The survey suggests most citizens would rather see existing councils strengthened than new ones created.