Accra: Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, an esteemed political figure and academic, has called for the restoration of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to 7.5 percent of the total national revenue, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering fiscal decentralization at the local level. He argued that previous amendments capping the DACF have impeded the effective financial autonomy of local governments, and proposed that the fund should eventually exceed 10 percent of the national revenue. According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Ahwoi articulated these views during an inaugural lecture hosted by the Chamber for Local Governance (ChaLoG) in Accra. His presentation, titled 'Professor Kwamena Ahwoi's Back to the Future Fifteen-Point Programme of Action for the Future of Democratic Decentralization for Development in Ghana,' outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance decentralization. He highlighted the need for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to develop 'Revenue Improvement Action Plans' t o expand their financial resources. The lecture, themed 'Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development in Ghana: The Past, Present and The Future,' also saw Prof. Ahwoi advocating for consensus on critical issues such as the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). He underlined the importance of addressing the polarization and partisanship that could potentially affect local governance dynamics. Professor Ahwoi, who previously served as Minister of Local Government and Decentralisation, suggested defining decentralization constitutionally to mitigate differing interpretations by the main political parties-the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). He noted that the creation of 45 new districts between 2018 and 2021 had rendered existing administrative structures 'dysfunctional' and recommended implementing updates based on a 2015-2016 study by the International Development Association (IDA). In addition to his proposals, Prof. Ahwoi called for a 'National Stakeholder Conference on Decentralisation' to chart a path forward for local governance, irrespective of the outcome of the 2024 general elections. He envisioned a governance system that genuinely serves local communities. The event also honored Prof. Ahwoi with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dr. Richard Fiadomor, President of ChaLoG, applauded his contributions to Ghana's decentralization efforts. Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuje, MP for Ablekuma South, and Dr. Francis Alhassan Adom, a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Policy Expert, echoed sentiments of responsibility and legacy, while Emeila Arthur, former District Chief Executive for Shamaa, reflected on the positive impact of Prof. Ahwoi's mentorship.