Training and development plays a crucial role in human resource development. It follows therefore that for employees in an organization to be able to perform their duties and make meaningful contributions to the success of the organizational goals need to acquire the relevant skills and knowledge. The study analysed training and development as a tool for effectiveness of District Assemblies in Ghana. The Jasikan District Assembly was the area of study. The issue of capacity building of local government employees especially the District Assemblies has been of concern to successive governments in Ghana. This is because local government employees have been identified as the key actors in Ghana`s course to promote effective decentralization. It is in this regard that the study sought to find out the training and development programmes at the District Assemblies and how it can help make them more effective in service delivery, productivity, and ensuring value for money and achieving goals. The research design was a case study with a sample size of 80 respondents. It was realized from the study that employees of district assemblies are aware of training and development but are lacking in understanding it to utilise for their career development and the assembly’s effectiveness. The study also found out that training and development has help attain some level of effectiveness for the assemblies but some challenges such as funds, inadequate attention to training and development among others limit the implementation of this important HR function. It also revealed further that major training methods in District Assemblies (on-the-job and off-the-job) which includes orientation, mentorship, workshop and seminars were used most of the time. It was revealed that even though these methods were helpful, they however were mostly not properly organized, with sometimes no clear objectives as to how the training is intended to impact on the work of employees. The researchers therefore made some recommendations for measures to address the challenges identified in order to build the capacity of staff at the District Assemblies in Ghana.

KEYWORDS: Training and Development, Strategic tool, District Assemblies, Ghana