Local governance boundary disputes – Minister-designate to review district demarcations

The Minister Designate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has described Ghana’s district boundary disputes as a ticking "time bomb," highlighting cases where single communities are split between different administrative regions.

Speaking during his vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Mr Ibrahim addressed the long-standing boundary crisis affecting communities like Kpeve, where one town is divided between Afadjato South and South Dayi districts.

“Ghana used to play with boundary issues,” Mr Ibrahim said. “We create some districts without fully redrawing the district boundaries, then we create others.” He pointed out that the Ghana Boundary Commission, established in 2010, had not fully resolved these internal administrative demarcations.

The issue, which affects both traditional authorities and local administration, was further highlighted by South Dayi MP Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor who pointed out how the creation of new districts has divided historically unified communities, such as Dededo, a traditionally Peki community, now part of the Ho West district despite its historical links to South Dayi.

Mr Ibrahim stressed that resolving these disputes would require collaboration with traditional authorities. “Thank God we are bringing our distinguished and revered chiefs on board,” he said, adding that technical briefs would be prepared to address these long-standing issues.

He also clarified that constituency boundaries fall under the jurisdiction of the Electoral Commission, as stipulated in Article 47 of the Constitution.