A local government expert, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, has stressed the need for a capacity-building “training of trainers” programme to strengthen professionalism and ethical conduct in Ghana’s local governance system.

Speaking at the 2nd Prof. Samuel Nunoo Woode Memorial Lecture organised by the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) at Ogbojo, Accra, on Friday, Prof. Ahwoi said such a programme would help address persistent challenges in ethics and professionalism despite decades of reforms.

The lecture was held on the theme: “Building Capacity for Professionalism and Ethical Conduct in Ghana’s Local Governance System.” It honoured the late Prof. Woode, founding Director of the ILGS.

Prof. Ahwoi noted that Ghana’s local government system had undergone several transformations since the 1980s, including the creation of the position of District Coordinating Director and Human Resource Departments in Assemblies to build capacity.

However, he said professionalism and ethical standards remained a challenge.

He recommended decentralising and regionalising training programmes, citing the example of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) support in establishing Regional Mobile Planning Teams during the early stages of decentralisation.

A similar approach, he said, could be adopted today through a Regional Capacity-Building Team model, with support from international partners.

Other proposals included the development of a local government-specific code of conduct and ethics, the extension of monitoring and evaluation to cover compliance with professional and ethical standards as key performance indicators, and embedding ethics in all capacity-building programmes.

Prof. Ahwoi commended the ILGS for championing capacity-building in the sector but stressed that it could not do the work alone.

He urged government and stakeholders to support the institute in delivering on its mandate.

The event was attended by the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim; Director of ILGS, Prof. Nicholas Awortwi; Council Chair of ILGS, Dr William Ahadzie; Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.