Oiling the wheels of sub-national development: An overview of development plan implementation in the Western region of Ghana

Abstract

Ghana’s Petroleum Revenue Management Law provides for equal and balanced national development anchored on extractive resource revenues and other strategic sources. However, the allocation and expenditure of petroleum revenues are centralized. This study applied a desk review to examine the Development Plans of three district assemblies (Jomoro, Ellembele and Sekondi-Takoradi) around the petroleum producing area. The findings indicate that there is general pressure on social amenities such as electricity. In Sekondi-Takoradi metropolitan area-for instance, electricity access rate has declined from 97% in 2010 to 92% in 2013 and 96% by 2016, implying that population is outgrowing energy access. Again, about 70% of infrastructure projects were either not completed within time or are not started at all. Again, whilst youth unemployment was identified, not much has been done to address it. The study recommends that that district assemblies need to plan their infrastructure projects in phases to so that old projects are prioritized and completed before new ones are started. In addition, innovative youth skills development programmes should be developed for the youth as part of a national local content strategy.