Paper short abstract:

Present key findings and contributions to the discourse on local economic growth through proposals for enhancing local government autonomy and effective collaboration with non-state actors for sustainable development.

Paper long abstract:

Local government autonomy plays a crucial role in fostering economic development by empowering decentralized authorities to make decisions tailored to local needs. This study explores the relationship between local government autonomy and local economic development in Ghana, focusing on Abuakwa South Municipal and Atiwa East District Assemblies. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research draws insights from semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with local government officials and non-state actors. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns in governance practices, economic strategies, and collaborative efforts.

Findings reveal that while local governments in Ghana possess formal autonomy to some extent, their capacity to drive economic development is often constrained by limited financial independence, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and inadequate stakeholder participation. However, effective collaboration with non-state actors, such as traditional authorities and private sector entities, emerged as a critical enabler of local development initiatives. The study also highlights the need for policy reforms to enhance fiscal, political and administrative decentralization and foster inclusivity in decision-making processes.

By examining these dynamics, the research contributes to understanding the practical challenges and opportunities in utilizing local government autonomy for economic transformation. This presentation offers actionable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and researchers interested in the intersections of governance and economic development in decentralized systems, emphasizing strategies for optimizing autonomy to achieve sustainable growth in similar contexts.

This study adds to the growing discourse on decentralization and development, offering a case-based perspective from Ghana that has broader implications for other developing countries.