Kpentey, Sarah Buerkwor2026-02-082026-02-0820192636-76452636-7645https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/3614For a few decades now, national leaders worldwide have become more interested and developed a positive appreciation of the role of the local government in the socio-economic development of a country. This paper discusses decentralisation and the local government system of Ghana. Through empirical findings and literature review, this paper analyses the local government structure of Ghana, its effectiveness and citizen participation. It examines the gap that exist between decentralisation and local government as proposed in the laws of the land and decentralisation as being practiced. The paper draws attention to the structural deficiencies and obtacles confronting the full realisation of a more participatory local government in the country. It observes central government’s relunctance to truely relinquish control over its powers and the various recentralisation “traps” it has built in the decentralisation process. The paper concurs that participation without accountability is only a partial ingredient to a highly responsive local governmeny.For a few decades now, national leaders worldwide have become more interested and developed a positive appreciation of the role of the local government in the socio-economic development of a country. This paper discusses decentralisation and the local government system of Ghana. Through empirical findings and literature review, this paper analyses the local government structure of Ghana, its effectiveness and citizen participation. It examines the gap that exist between decentralisation and local government as proposed in the laws of the land and decentralisation as being practiced. The paper draws attention to the structural deficiencies and obtacles confronting the full realisation of a more participatory local government in the country. It observes central government’s relunctance to truely relinquish control over its powers and the various recentralisation “traps” it has built in the decentralisation process. The paper concurs that participation without accountability is only a partial ingredient to a highly responsive local governmeny.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessBusiness AdministrationİşletmeArticle22168188