Institute of Local Government Studies Act, 2003 Act 647

INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES ACT, 2003 (ACT 647)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART I—ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INSTITUTE OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT STUDIES
1. Establishment of the Institute
2. Campuses of the Institute
3. Objectives of the Institute
4. Functions of the Institute
5. Governing body of the Institute
6. Functions of the Council
7. Tenure of office of members of the Council
8. Meetings of the Council
9. Committees of the Council
10. Allowances for members of the Council
PART II—ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSTITUTE
11. Director of the Institute
12. Deputy Directors of the Institute
13. Registrar
14. Other staff of the Institute
PART III—FINANCIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
15. Funds of the Institute
16. Borrowing powers and bank account
17. Annual budget of the Institute
18. Accounts and audit
19. Annual Report and other reports
20. Regulations
21. Interpretation
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rs and bank account
17. Annual budget of the Institute
18. Accounts and audit
19. Annual Report and other reports
20. Regulations
21. Interpretation
1

REPUBLIC OF GHANA
ACT 647
THE SIX HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVENTHS
ACT
OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
ENTITLED
THE INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES ACT, 2003
AN ACT to establish an Institute of Local Government Studies and to provide for related
matters. DATE OF ASSENT: 3rd July, 2003. BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows:
PART I—ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INSTITUTE OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT STUDIES
Section 1—Establishment of the Institute. (1) There is established by this Act a body to be known as the Institute of Local Government
Studies. (2) The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and
may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (3) The Institute may in the performance of its functions, acquire and hold movable and
immovable property and enter into any contract or other transaction. (4) Where the Institute has resolved and the Government has agreed that the acquisition of land
or a right over land is necessary for the Institute, the land may be acquired under the State
Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125)
Section 2—Campuses of the Institute.

ight over land is necessary for the Institute, the land may be acquired under the State
Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125)
Section 2—Campuses of the Institute.

The Institute shall have campuses in such places as the Council of the Institute shall determine. Section 3—Objectives of the Institute. The objectives of the Institute are to organize the training of
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the Council of the Institute shall determine. Section 3—Objectives of the Institute. The objectives of the Institute are to organize the training of
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(a) members of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils, District Assemblies and lower local
government units;
(b) staff and personnel in the local government and related sectors; and
(c) any other person or body, local or foreign interested in governance,
to enhance the managerial, administrative, financial and operational efficiency of organs and
units of local government. Section 4—Functions of the Institute.

ce the managerial, administrative, financial and operational efficiency of organs and
units of local government. Section 4—Functions of the Institute.

(1) For the purpose of attaining its objectives, the Institute shall perform the following
functions:
(a) arrange courses, workshops, seminars and conferences for persons engaged in areas of local
government;
(b) prescribe the qualification of persons eligible for training at the Institute;
(c) undertake and promote research in local government;
(d) develop training materials for members of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils, District
Assemblies, and other local government units;
(e) publish literature relevant to local government;
(f) develop specialized libraries for purposes of local government;
(g) provide consultancy and advisory services to the Central Government, units of local
government and any other body that may require those services;
(h) collaborate with national and international institutions of relevance in the performance of
its functions; and
(i) perform other functions assigned to it by the Minister. (2) The Institute may award certificates, diplomas and higher qualifications as may be agreed
upon by the Institute and approved by the National Accreditation Board. Section 5—Governing Body of the Institute.

her qualifications as may be agreed
upon by the Institute and approved by the National Accreditation Board. Section 5—Governing Body of the Institute.

(1) The governing body of the Institute shall be the Council composed of the following:
(a) a chairperson;
(b) the Director of the Institute;
(c) one representative of the Ministry of Local Government, not below the rank of Director;
and
(d) one person not below the rank of a Director in the Public Services representing each of the
following:
(i) the National Development Planning Commission;
(ii) the National Association of Local Government Authorities of Ghana;
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ing each of the
following:
(i) the National Development Planning Commission;
(ii) the National Association of Local Government Authorities of Ghana;
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(iii) the Public Services Commission;
(iv) the Local Government Service;
(v) the National Council for Tertiary Education; and
(vi) three other persons at least one of whom shall be a woman. (2) The chairperson and other members of the Council shall be appointed by the President in
consultation with the Council of State. Section 6—Functions of the Council. (1) The Council shall
(a) ensure the implementation and achievement of the objectives of the Institute;
(b) formulate policies within the framework of the national policy on decentralization and local
government for the proper management of the Institute;
(c) approve annual estimates of income and expenditure of the Institute;
(d) manage the properties, business and funds of the Institute; and
(e) perform any other functions which are incidental to the achievement of the objectives of
the Institute. (2) The Board shall in the performance of its functions consult the Minister in matters of policy. Section 7—Tenure of Office of Members of the Council.

) The Board shall in the performance of its functions consult the Minister in matters of policy. Section 7—Tenure of Office of Members of the Council.

(1) A member of the Council, other than the Director of the Institute and other ex-officio
members, shall hold office for a period not exceeding four years and are on the expiration of
that period eligible for re-appointment for one further term only. (2) A member of the Council, other than the Director of the Institute and other ex-officio
members, may at any time by letter addressed to the President through the Minister resign from
office. (3) A member who is absent from three consecutive ordinary meetings of the Council without
reasonable cause ceases to be a member of the Council. (4) The chairperson or any other member of the Council may be removed from office by the
President for inability to perform the functions of office, for stated misbehaviour or for any
other just cause.

cil may be removed from office by the
President for inability to perform the functions of office, for stated misbehaviour or for any
other just cause.

(5) Where the office of a member of the Council becomes vacant before the expiration of that
member's term of office for any reason, the chairperson shall within one month of the
occurrence of the vacancy inform the Minister who shall notify the President of the vacancy
and the President shall acting on the advice of the nominating authority where applicable and
in consultation with the Council of State appoint another person to fill the vacancy. (6) A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the
previous member and subject to the provisions of this Act is eligible for re-appointment. Section 8—Meetings of the Council. 4

nder of the term of the
previous member and subject to the provisions of this Act is eligible for re-appointment. Section 8—Meetings of the Council. 4

(1) The Council shall meet for the dispatch of business at a time and place the Council may
determine but shall meet at least once every three months. (2) The chairperson shall upon the request of not less than one-third of the membership of the
Council convene a special meeting of the Council. (3) The quorum at a meeting of the Council shall be six members and shall include the Director
of the Institute or the person acting in that capacity. (4) The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Council and in the absence of the
chairperson, a member of the Council elected by the members present from among their
number shall preside. (5) Questions before the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and
voting and in the event of equality of votes the chairperson or the person presiding shall have
a casting vote. (6) The Council may co-opt any person to act as an adviser at its meetings but a co-opted person
is not entitled to vote at the meeting. (7) The validity of the proceedings of the Council shall not be affected by a vacancy among its
members or by a defect in the appointment or qualification of a member.

of the proceedings of the Council shall not be affected by a vacancy among its
members or by a defect in the appointment or qualification of a member.

(8) Except as otherwise provided under this section, the Council shall determine and regulate
the procedure for its meetings. Section 9—Committees of the Council. The Council may for purposes of achieving the object of the Institute appoint committees of
the Council comprising members of the Council or non-members or both and may assign to
them such functions of the Council as the Council may determine. Section 10—Allowances for Members of the Council and Committees. Members of the Council and members of committees of the Council shall be paid such
allowances as shall be determined by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible
for Finance. PART II—ADMINISTRATION OF THE INSTITUTE
Section 11—Director of the Institute. (1) There shall be appointed by the Council a Director for the Institute. (2) The Director of the Institute shall hold office
(a) for a period not exceeding two terms of five years each; and
(b) on such other conditions as shall be specified in the letter of appointment.

fice
(a) for a period not exceeding two terms of five years each; and
(b) on such other conditions as shall be specified in the letter of appointment.

(3) The Director shall, subject to such directives as the Council may give, be responsible for
the day-to-day administration of the Institute and shall
(a) exercise general authority over the academic and administrative staff of the Institute;
(b) co-ordinate and implement the programmes of the Institute; and
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se general authority over the academic and administrative staff of the Institute;
(b) co-ordinate and implement the programmes of the Institute; and
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(c) submit annual reports of the activities of the Institute to the Board. Section 12—Deputy Directors of the Institute. (1) There shall be appointed by the Council, Deputy Directors for the various campuses of the
Institute. (2) A Deputy Director of the Institute shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the
Council may determine. (3) A Deputy Director of the Institute shall be responsible for the day to day management of
the campus of the Institute to which that Deputy Director is assigned responsibility and shall
assist the Director of the Institute in the performance of the Director's functions. (4) In the absence of the Director of the Institute the most senior Deputy Director shall act as
Director of the Institute. Section 13—Registrar. (1) The Institute shall have a Registrar who shall be appointed by the Council. (2) The Registrar shall
(a) be the Secretary to the Council;
(b) record and keep the minutes of the meetings of the Council; and
(c) perform such other functions as the Council or the Director of the Institute may direct. (3) The Registrar shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the
Council.

cil or the Director of the Institute may direct. (3) The Registrar shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the
Council.

Section 14—Other staff of the Institute. (1) The Council may appoint such other officers and employees as may be necessary for the
proper and effective achievement of the objectives of the Institute. (2) The terms and conditions of service of officers and all employees of the Institute shall be
determined by the Council. (3) Officers and employees of the Institute shall perform such functions as the Council or the
Director of the Institute shall direct. (4) Other public officers may be transferred or seconded to the Institute with the approval of
the Council. (5) The Council may engage the services of such consultants and advisers as it may determine. PART III—FINANCIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15—Funds of the Institute. (1) The funds of the Institute shall include
(a) annual budgetary allocation made to the Institute by Parliament;
(b) fees accruing to the Institute in the course of the performance of its functions consisting of
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y allocation made to the Institute by Parliament;
(b) fees accruing to the Institute in the course of the performance of its functions consisting of
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(i) fees paid by course participants at the Institute;
(ii) fees, charges and dues in respect of services rendered by or through the Institute;
(iii) proceeds of the sale of publications of the Institute; and
(c) donations, gifts and income from any other source approved by the Minister and the
Minister for Finance. (2) Any sum of money received by or on behalf of the Institute shall be paid into an account of
the Institute opened by the Council with the approval of the Accountant-General. Section 16—Borrowing Powers and Bank Account. Subject to article 181 of the Constitution and any other enactment, the Council may obtain
loans and other credit facilities on the guarantee of the Government from such bank and other
institutions as the Minister may approve. Section 17—Annual Budget of the Institute. The Director shall prepare budget estimates and a statement of assets and liabilities of the
Institute for each financial year and present the estimates to the Council for its consideration
and approval not later than two months before the end of the financial year. Section 18—Accounts and Audits.

ates to the Council for its consideration
and approval not later than two months before the end of the financial year. Section 18—Accounts and Audits.

(1) The Council shall keep books of account and proper records in relation to them in a form
approved by the Auditor-General. (2) The books and accounts of the Institute shall be audited by the Auditor-General or an auditor
appointed by the Auditor-General within six months after the end of each financial year. (3) The financial year of the Institute shall be the same as the financial year of the Government. Section 19—Annual Report and other Reports. (1) The Council shall within six months after the end of each financial year submit to the
Minister an annual report covering the activities and operations of the Institute for the year to
which the report relates. (2) The annual report submitted under subsection (1) shall include the audited accounts of the
Institute and the Auditor-General's report on the accounts of the Institute. (3) The Council shall also submit to the Minister such other reports as the Minister may in
writing require. (4) The Minister shall within two months after the receipt of the annual report submit a report
to Parliament with such statement as the Minister considers necessary. Section 20—Regulations.

after the receipt of the annual report submit a report
to Parliament with such statement as the Minister considers necessary. Section 20—Regulations.

The Minister may, on the advice of the Council by legislative instrument make Regulations to
give effect to the provisions of this Act. Section 21—Interpretation. 7

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires
"Council" means the Council of Governors for the Institute established under section 5 of this
Act;
"District Assembly" includes Municipal and Metropolitan Assembly;
"Institute" means the Institute of Local Government Studies established under section 1 of this
Act;
"Minister" means the Minister for the time being charged with responsibility for local
government;
"National Accreditation Board" means the National Accreditation Board established under the
National Accreditation Board Law, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 317).
Date of Gazette Notification: 11th July. 2003.
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