THE GHANAIAN CONSTI1UTION
Article 21(3) of the Constitution provides as follows:
(3) All citizens shall hay.; the right and freedom to form or join political
parties and to participate in political activities subject to such
qualifications and laws in a free and democratic society and are
consistent with this constitution.
Thus, the Constitution guarantees the right of individuals to freely join
or associate with others in the pursuit of professional, occupational,
political and other legitimate social and economic activities.
Decentralization of Political and Administrative Power
By virtue of Article 240 of the Constitution, political power and authority
have been effectively decentralized in Ghana since 1992.
The Constitution guarantees to the people of Ghana a system of local
Government administration that is characterized by the following:
a. the election on a non partisan basis of 70% of the membership of the
Assembly;
b. the local direction and control of decentralized public services and
government institutions; and
c. the financing of developments including the establishment of District
Assemblies Common Fund into which Central Government shall pay at least
5% of total national revenue.
The principle of participation by all the people in government through the
District Assemblies is entrenched in the constitution. Participation of
the people shall be through their election of 70% of the membership of
the District Assembly and also their involvement in the implementation of
the projects and programmes proposed by the Assembly. Communal
labour for development is encouraged and recognized as a vital public
service and duty.