Ghana's Health Sector Decentralization Reform Experience

This study presents findings on the challenge(s) confronting the implementation of health sector reform in Ghana. It examines the influence of lack of staff capacity, leadership, staff commitment and communication on the implementation of health sector decentralisation at the district level. The study¿s underlying proposition was that: the characteristics of an implementing agency influences effective implementation. To explore this proposition, a multiple research method combining interview, survey and policy document analysis was used to gather data. The study was conducted in three case study districts in Ghana; the sample consisted of 59 interviewees and 142 respondents for a semi-structured interview and survey components respectively and, the data obtained was analysed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study findings pointed out that the challenges confronting the implementation of health decentralisation at district level needed to be cast within a wider historical, geopolitical, economic and institutional context of the country and the health service in particular.