Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) Technical Committee on Decentralisation, Kwamena Ahwoi, has cautioned against the emergence of separatist tendencies as Ghana continues to pursue its decentralisation agenda.
According to him, while decentralisation remains an important governance tool for promoting local participation and development, it also carries potential risks that could threaten national unity if not properly managed.
Prof. Ahwoi issued the warning during the IMCC’s media sensitisation and policy orientation workshop held on May 19.
Addressing participants at the event, he stressed the need for policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to remain vigilant about the possible consequences of decentralisation if it is pursued without adequate safeguards.
He explained that the process of devolving power and authority to local structures can, in some cases, create conditions that encourage demands for greater autonomy, eventually leading to federalism, secessionist movements, or even the disintegration of a country.
“In decentralising, you must be aware that there are separatist tendencies. It is very easy to move from decentralisation to separation, to federalism, to secession, and to the breakdown of the country.
“This is the reason why we have a very weak regional level in our decentralisation system. I will give you two examples. Don’t ever think that Ghana can remain or will remain Ghana forever. Ghana, like almost all African countries, with the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia are artificial or Ghana is an artificial colonial construct. But for colonialism, there would be no Ghana.
“Decentralisation is good, but if you don’t take care, it can be a great danger to the unity of the state.”
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