The Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON) has put forward a proposal for a 15% annual central government budgetary allocation to the district level to address challenges in the decentralization system of governance.
The proposal aims to remedy the perceived crisis and inefficiencies in the current decentralized governance structure.
The recommendation was part of a communique issued by TEPPCON following its 20th Biennial Plenary Assembly held in Damongo, Savannah Region, from November 27 to December 01.
The conference, themed “The Crisis of Education in Ghana: The Role of Government and Stakeholders,” was attended by Bishops, Executive Members, and Delegates representing all the Dioceses of the Catholic Church in the northern part of Ghana.
The communique expressed concerns about the ineffectiveness of the poorly implemented decentralization system, stating that it often served the interests of the government, particularly during election years. The proposed 15% annual allocation to districts aims to improve the functionality and impact of local governance.
TEPPCON also recommended the implementation of the Constitutional Review Commission report, specifically addressing the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). The communique emphasized the importance of environmental protection and called for collective responsibility in addressing the rapid degradation of the environment.
Additionally, TEPPCON urged citizens to embrace values of inclusiveness, fairness, and fellow feeling, emphasizing the need to overcome the culture of indiscipline to build resilient and peaceful communities.
