Decentralization improves governance and local participation in development, but it also fuels inefficiency when there is unguided creation of districts. Many decentralized districts in Africa are poor in revenue generation, dependent on central government transfers, and burdened by high administrative costs, leaving little for investment. Compounded by a lack of competition for innovation and leadership in some countries, decentralization risks becoming stagnant rather than

What happens when cost barriers to secondary education are removed? Ghana’s FreeSHS policy, launched in 2017, led to a sharp rise in school completion, especially for girls. Our research shows that while access improved, challenges remain, including declining quality, uneven uptake, and persistent social norms. FreeSHS is not a silver bullet, but it marks a bold move toward inclusive education and offers lessons for designing sustainable public policies.

Floods devastate Accra yearly, yet blame is endlessly recycled among citizens, planners, and politicians. Weak enforcement, chaotic land processes, and public indifference fuel the crisis. Ghana doesn't lack plans—it lacks discipline and coordinated action. From enforcing controls to rethinking drainage, we must move beyond finger-pointing and co-create resilient solutions before the next storm makes excuses our only infrastructure.