As the dawn of a new government approaches, perhaps its time to get our brooms and dusters out and give our organs of government a spring clean.
Ghana has seen too many years of Centralised governance. Our Unicameral legislature is seen to be very inclusive in terms of party politics but also has the tendency of being electively dictatorial. But the most worrying fact is that in enforcing its duties, Parliament in Ghana does not give local governments their due and the independence they require for a proper representation of the people and their right to a fair share of the national cake.

‘’Election flash in the pan’’
Never have so many constituencies come to the fore like election time. If you didn’t know your ODODODIODO CONSTITUENCY from your ASEMBABA DABI CONSTITUENCY you get a baptism of education in that one time. However give it a few weeks for the excitement of choosing a new government to die down and most of them will dwindle into the shade. In those times what will the district assemblies, local assemblies, civil servants and citizenry reps be doing until the next election? The answer is simple… they will have to melt into the shadows, tow the line, and watch and pray that a ballot is cast in their favour at Parliamentary level before a local issue can be resolved. And that is only if they are lucky to have an MP who is a blazing fire brand spewing forth fire and brimstone and talking himself hoarse at sittings. In the absence of such an MP, then the constituency might as well just shrivel and die because they wont be heard of nor feel the amazing grace of relief from central government.

‘’Local Governments knows local issues’’
Who better to deal with local issues than local government? They are right on the doorstep of the citizens of the constituency and have the systems in place under their charters (CENTRAL GOVT PERMITTING OF COURSE) to run the day- to- day affairs of their people and know where the problems are and perchance how to resolve them et all. Not allowing them to do so often culminates in exclusion of certain areas, lack of participation in their local affairs and the choice in determining their own development needs and priorities.

‘’Ghanaian Governments fear delegation…Fact’’
To an observer, the whole ideology of governance has descended into a power struggle. To be on top means to hold the keys to all but how can one or a few people do it all and know it all? That is the question!
This is why there is always public outcry against Administrations when they come into power because the work in progress often gets scattered, showered and broadcasted in uncertain terms and elective planning so some get it and others don’t. And we all know who the losers tend to be…the rural areas! Would this be the same areas that we continually turn to for maximum votes? Food for thought.

''There is bias and disregard''
Ask the average man on the street if they really understand our constitution and their civic rights and obligatons and the answer you will get is a negative. At the most, the information systems in place are geared towards urbanites so a majority of the populace are always in the dark and un-informed about policies all the time. Therefore when politicians go out pushing down their manifestos down the throat of electorates, is it then just a question of speaking to the blind and the deaf? It is no wonder then that the whole process of choosing a new government centres more on sensationalism and mud slinging in a bid to see who shouts the most. In the absence of that there is no serious business of possible inclusion of the electorates, the grass roots, the local representation and their utmost needs when the ascendency to power happens. Now this can't be good in a democratic environ where leaders have been chosen by the powerful mandate of the people.

''Something has to give''
Power to the people is not what it seems. We are all puppets under the masterful hands of a few elite who are steerig affairs from the top. If a true representation of the people has to happen, then i say let the local people have a say in their local affairs!