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Fiscal decentralization and efficiency of public services delivery by local governments in Ghana

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  • Isaac Otoo
  • Michael Danquah

Abstract

In this paper, we estimate the efficiency of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana, and investigate the impact of fiscal decentralization on the efficiency of local public goods and services delivery by MMDAs. Using data from composite budgets of all 216 MMDAs, we employ both nonparametric and parametric frontier methods to carry out the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaac Otoo & Michael Danquah, 2021. "Fiscal decentralization and efficiency of public services delivery by local governments in Ghana," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-88, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
  • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-88
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    2. Shi, Jiangang & Dai, Xingying & Duan, Kaifeng & Li, Jiajia, 2023. "Exploring the performances and determinants of public service provision in 35 major cities in China from the perspectives of efficiency and effectiveness," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

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    Keywords

    Fiscal decentralization; Efficiency; Local government; Frontier methods; Ghana;
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