Assessment of the Process of Decentralization and District Level Decentralization in Ethiopia : The Case of Amhara National Regional State

This paper tries to examine the process of decentralization and district level decentralization program in Amhara regional state. The paper traced out the overview of decentralization process during imperial, derg, and EPRDF regimes. The depth and degree of decentralization in the three consecutive regimes found to be different in which the process of decentralization in current government meant to be deeper and extensive as it pushed powers, functions and roles to the district level of government. The process of decentralization in the current government had two phases. The first phases was evident since 1992-2001 which moved powers and functions to the regional governments. The second phases of decentralization was also realized since 2002 as it has transferred powers and functions to the districts. However there have been many challenges that were accompanied with the district level decentralization process. This paper aspires to examine these challenges. The paper found out that unclear assignments of powers and functions, executive domination at local level, upward accountabilities, top down planning approach, absence of skilled manpower, limited participatory systems, failure of the woreda and kebele councils in holding the executive accountable, lack of adequate budget, low level of revenue mobilization capacity, low sense of responsiveness and accountability in woreda and kebele councils to the people were the main challenges that intervened in the process of district level decentralization process