A new nationwide poll by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has revealed overwhelming public support for significant reforms in Ghana’s local governance system, with a clear majority of citizens favouring the non-partisan election of all Assembly Members and the abolition of the appointed-member system.
The strongest and most unified sentiment captured in the poll centers on the mode of election for Assembly Members. An overwhelming 83.8 percent of respondents expressed a preference for the non-partisan election of all Assembly Members.
This is consistent with the original vision of Ghana’s local government system, which sought to insulate local development from partisan influences. For many Ghanaians, political neutrality at the assembly level is seen as essential to ensuring that community needs, rather than party interests, drive decision-making.
The IEA noted that this overwhelming support reflects a collective aspiration for transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. Citizens appear to believe that a non-partisan approach will enhance the credibility of local institutions, lower the political temperature at the grassroots level, and allow the best candidates—rather than the most connected party members—to emerge.
According to the institute, the results demonstrate a strong public desire for reforms that align local governance with democratic expectations. The data also suggest that Ghanaians are paying close attention to how local authorities operate and are increasingly vocal about the direction they want decentralization to take.
Understanding of Local-Level Election
Another key finding of the poll is that 68 percent of respondents understand how appointed Assembly Members currently enter office. This level of awareness suggests that a substantial portion of the population is not only familiar with the workings of the District Assembly structure but is also positioned to participate meaningfully in deliberations around reform.
At the same time, the remaining 32 percent who lack such knowledge indicate the need for sustained civic education to deepen public engagement with local governance processes.
The question of whether the appointed-member position should remain or be abolished produced one of the most striking results in the poll. According to the IEA, 55 percent of respondents want the position discontinued entirely.
For these respondents, the President’s authority to appoint 30 percent of the members of District Assemblies undermines grassroots democracy and compromises the autonomy of local decision-making.
To them, eliminating the appointed seats would help strengthen the legitimacy of local assemblies and ensure that all representatives derive their mandate directly from the people.
However, the poll also indicates that 45 percent of respondents believe the appointed Assembly Member role should be retained. While this group represents a minority, it is large enough to signal that any reform in this area must be accompanied by broad-based consultations.
Their views reflect concerns that the role, despite its controversies, brings expertise that may be lacking in some assemblies and supports a technical dimension of local governance. The division highlights the importance of consensus-building in pursuing major institutional changes.
With nearly seven out of every ten individuals demonstrating awareness of the current appointment system, the poll reveals a population that is more informed than often assumed.
The findings come at a time when debate over the relevance and structure of Ghana’s decentralization framework has intensified, more than three decades after its introduction.
For over 35 years, Ghana’s decentralization architecture has been shaped by a hybrid system that combines elected and appointed Assembly Members. Although intended to blend democratic representation with technical expertise, the arrangement has faced persistent criticism, with many arguing that it weakens local accountability and allows undue executive influence over local development.
Against this backdrop, the IEA undertook a national public opinion poll to assess citizens’ preferences for potential reforms. The survey was conducted across all 16 regions between 3rd and 20th October 2025 and targeted Ghanaians aged 18 and above.
Out of the responses received, 1,311 were validated for analysis. The results provide a snapshot of how citizens perceive the current system and the direction they believe reforms should take.
Past attempts to amend aspects of the local government structure—most notably proposals to introduce partisan elections for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs)—did not reach fruition, in part due to disagreements between the two main political parties.
The latest IEA poll provides renewed insight into where public sentiment lies and may reignite discussions on the future of Ghana’s decentralization agenda. As Ghana continues to reflect on the effectiveness of its local governance model, the IEA’s research highlights a clear call from citizens: strengthen democratic representation, reduce executive dominance, and keep local elections non-partisan.
Whether political leaders translate these preferences into policy reforms remains an open question, but the poll leaves little doubt about what Ghanaians want in their local government system.
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