The foundation for good governance in the Republic of Ghana is provided by the country's constitution, which was adopted in 1992, as well as the human and civil rights embedded within it. The aim of the constitution is to enable all citizens to play an active role in shaping the political, economic and legal framework.

This vision of politically mature citizens, who are not only aware of their rights and obligations but also demand them and uphold them, and who participate in political and economic processes, is also a defining characteristic of the Ghanaian Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS I & II). The rule of law, government accountability and legal security are indispensable in translating that vision into reality.

The GPRS I & II also highlights the key role decentralisation plays in fighting poverty. Decentralisation is therefore an integral element of the democratisation process in Ghana. The constitution, several laws on decentralisation (1988, 1993, 2004) and the National Decentralisation Action Plan (NADP) provide the necessary framework for strengthening participation in local political decision-making processes and improving government services at local level.

German development cooperation has been supporting Ghana’s reforms in the field of good governance for many years. The priority area strategy agreed to by both governments is designed to contribute in the wider sense to preventing crises and conflicts, to strengthening the participation of women, and to reducing poverty. The advisory services provided by technical cooperation focus on three core areas:

Strengthening the rule of law and government accountability, and promoting legal security. Here, the main fields of intervention are:

• legal pluralism
• land law and land administration reforms
• combating corruption.

Institutional strengthening of the tax administration

Implementing the decentralisation policy of the Government of Ghana, with interventions to facilitate legislation, strategy building and capacity development. Activities take place at the national level, in regional and local authorities, and within civil society, to address topics of political, administrative and fiscal decentralisation.

Partners include representatives of national ministries and subsidiary national authorities, as well as from regional planning and coordination units, and district administrations. Additional partners also include members of relevant networks and individuals drawn from civil society.