Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia officially took the helm as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) Secretariat on Monday.
The handover event, held at the IMCCoD Secretariat, signaled a significant transition in leadership and showcased the government’s dedication to advancing decentralisation reforms in Ghana.
Established in 2010, the IMCCoD serves as the central national institution for coordinating inter-sectoral policies on decentralisation and supporting the decentralised local governance system.
Its mission is to propel Ghana’s local government system towards swift development through accelerated decentralisation and effective local administration.
During the handover ceremony, former Executive Secretary Mr. Dennis Edward Aboagye expressed confidence in President John Dramani Mahama’s selection of Dr. Hoedoafia, citing his expertise and experience in Decentralisation and Local Governance.
He called on staff to collaborate and assist in accomplishing the government’s goals in the decentralisation and local governance realm.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Hoedoafia expressed gratitude towards the staff and his predecessor for the warm reception.
He emphasized his commitment to realizing IMCCoD’s vision through teamwork and the implementation of transformative strategies to position IMCCoD as a pivotal coordinating entity in Ghana’s decentralisation journey.
One of the key initiatives outlined by Dr. Hoedoafia includes the finalization of the Draft National Decentralisation Policy (2025-2029) to guide Ghana’s decentralisation reforms. Additionally, he aims to strengthen partnerships with Development Partners, revive the Decentralisation Sector Working Group, and enhance collaboration with stakeholders such as Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to enhance local governance.
Dr. Hoedoafia also announced plans to formalize the National Decentralisation Dialogue, providing a platform for stakeholders to engage on decentralisation matters and leverage the benefits outlined in the Constitution. Legislative reforms, including the enactment of the District Assemblies Borrowing Act and the full implementation of L.I 1961, are set to expedite the decentralisation process and improve service delivery by devolving Education and Health sectors to the District Assemblies.
In closing, Dr. Hoedoafia urged staff to strive for excellence in their roles, emphasizing the Secretariat’s commitment to enhancing public service delivery at the local level through accelerated decentralisation reforms and policies.
