The Government has decided to make the newly created Bodi District Assembly in the Western Region a model assembly in honor of Professor Kwamina Ahwoi for his invaluable contribution towards the nation's decentralization programme.

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, announced this at Bodi in the Western Region when he paid a working visit to the area to acquaint himself with preparations towards the inauguration of the district on Thursday, June 28.

He explained that the district would be used as a pilot project for model districts to be established.

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said the types of buildings and other infrastructure would form the bases of other model districts.

Ahwoi hails from Bodi.

He described Professor Ahwoi “as the principal architect of the nation’s decentralisation programme which started in 1988”, saying he has since developed many principles and a policy of the programme, resulting in massive development in the country especially in the rural set ups.

He said many politicians in and outside the country had enormously benefited from Professor Ahwoi’s initiative and “it is befitting that the nation honors such a living legend”.

He said Ghana’s decentralization programme had been a model for some African and Asian countries which had adopted it or were using it in training their politicians.

He said, “Professor Ahwoi is hailed both in Ghana and abroad as the architect of the country’s decentralization programme.

“He is credited with translating decentralization policy proposals into legislation, as well as transferring functions from historically highly centralized agencies in the country.

“He was also a key figure in setting up the political structures for decentralization in Ghana.”

Prof. Ahwoi, who was for several years Minister of Local Government under the Rawlings Administration, is currently a Professor at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He has provided massive support for the initiatives through a consultative process with the support of many decentralization research policy documents.

When Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo inspected facilities for the new assembly, it was revealed that infrastructure were almost ready for the smooth takeoff of the new district, which is also to benefit from this year’s allocation of the Districts Assemblies Common Fund.

The chiefs and people of the area have also donated 160 acres of land to the assembly for the development of office and residential accommodation as well as other projects for the District.**