Ghana's Parliament has passed the Ashanti Region Decentralisation and Local Governance Enhancement Bill in a landmark vote, granting greater fiscal autonomy to district assemblies across the region and establishing a new regional development fund.
The bill, which passed with 187 votes in favour and 43 against, allows Ashanti district assemblies to retain 40% of internally generated funds — up from the current 20% — and establishes a GH₵500 million Ashanti Regional Development Fund to be managed by a board of trustees.
Speaker Alban Bagbin described the passage as "a historic moment for local governance in Ghana." The bill had been debated for over two years and went through three rounds of committee review before reaching the floor.
The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council welcomed the development, with the Regional Minister saying it would "transform the capacity of our districts to deliver services to the people." The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, which generates the most internally generated funds in the region, stands to benefit most significantly.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about accountability mechanisms. The Ghana Integrity Initiative called for robust anti-corruption safeguards to be built into the implementation framework, noting that increased fiscal autonomy without oversight could create opportunities for misappropriation.
The bill now awaits presidential assent. The President is expected to sign it into law within 21 days, after which a six-month implementation period will begin.
Traditional rulers in the region, including representatives of the Manhyia Palace, have expressed support for the bill, viewing it as consistent with the Ashanti tradition of local self-governance.
