Phase 3

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Swiss Decentralization Support Ghana Phase III

Ghana designed its decentralization reform to improve service delivery to its citizens through local governance and citizens’ participation. The Swiss Decentralization Support builds on the achievement of previous phases and aims to 1) support the progress of the decentralization reform by channeling ownership and commitment at central level- 2) improve infrastructure and financial management in Ghana’s districts and 3) complement the decentralization reforms pillar on popular participation by empowering local institutions and citizens towards district assemblies and central government by piloting bottom-up accountability approaches.

Country/region	Period	Budget
Ghana	01.10.2023 - 31.12.2030	CHF 17’800’000

The project in brief

Background	Limited economic opportunities, a lack of economic and social infrastructure and limited access to basic public services outside of a few urban areas are undermining sustainable economic development in Ghana. The current economic crisis risks aggravating this spatial inequality as the increased food prices are slowing poverty reduction and rural farmers struggle with increased prices of fertilizer and other inputs. Improved service delivery through local governance and citizens participation will make an important contribution to address spatial inequality.
Objectives	To support the implementation of Ghana’s decentralization reform to improve service delivery in districts through decentralized governance systems and active citizens participation.
Medium-term outcomes	Ownership and commitment at central level are focused to drive reform progress (Focus Area 1) Improved infrastructure and financial management of district assemblies as conditions for access to efficient public service (Focus Area 2) Increased awareness of accountability related opportunities at district level empowers citizens of pilot municipalities towards district assemblies and central government (Focus Area 3)
Results	Expected results: Enhanced central Government capacity to implement the decentralization reform Enhanced analysis in support of the decentralization reform exists Policy relevant high-level policy dialogue takes place with regular updates on reform progress Incentives for compliance to internal process improved and service delivery at district level are improved More staff at district level receive relevant training on local government management Improved understanding of accountability related public finance management and service delivery failures Results from previous phases: 2019: 623 Infrastructure projects financed in districts 1'600 local government staff trained 2020: 944 Infrastructure projects financed in districts 1'036 local government staff trained 2021: 550 Infrastructure projects financed in districts 11'741 local government staff trained 2022: 811 Infrastructure projects financed in districts 49'764 local government staff trained (m 67% / f 33%)
Directorate/federal office responsible	SECO
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF 17’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 118’848’000
Project phases	Phase 3 01.10.2023 - 31.12.2030 (Current phase) Phase 2 01.06.2019 - 31.12.2023 (Completed) Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 30.12.2017 (Completed)