In a decisive effort to strengthen local institutions and advance region-specific development, the Ashanti Region hosted a high-level sensitisation workshop in Kumasi from August 28 to 29, 2025, to disseminate the Local Economic Development (LED) Policy. The two-day event formed part of a nationwide campaign to operationalise the LED Policy (2024–2029) and its accompanying Practitioners’ Manual across all regions of Ghana.

Organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), with support from GIZ under the NILED initiative through its Support to the Private and Financial Sector (PFS) programme, the workshop focused on localising development solutions by strengthening capacity at the regional and district levels.

With Kumasi at the centre of Ashanti region’s economic and administrative activity, the workshop emphasised the importance of aligning local governance strategies with the LED framework to unlock economic opportunities and reduce regional inequalities. The Ashanti Region’s dynamic economy, anchored by trade, agriculture, and a strong informal sector was highlighted as a model for scaling local economic initiatives under the new policy.

Participants, including metro, municipal and district officials, technical staff, private sector players, and other stakeholders, engaged in interactive sessions designed to unpack the policy’s core components, local resource mobilisation, institutional coordination, community participation, and sustainable financing. Special attention was paid to how districts can better integrate LED principles into their development plans and catalyse growth through partnerships.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the call for stronger collaboration between local governments and the private sector, alongside enhanced community engagement, to ensure that LED interventions respond to local needs and priorities. The LED Policy is structured to support inclusive economic development, with a strong focus on youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, and resilient local economies.

As the Ashanti region takes steps to operationalise the policy, stakeholders expressed optimism about its potential to reshape development planning by placing decision-making and resource control closer to the people. The workshop in Kumasi represents more than a policy rollout. It signals a renewed commitment to building a future where local innovation and ownership are at the heart of Ghana’s development agenda.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

MLGCRA Public Relations Unit

The International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) have paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to express their appreciation for his participation in the 8th Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference.

The delegation, led by senior officials of ICED and ISSER, commended the Minister for delivering a powerful keynote address at the conference, which underscored the importance of evidence-informed participatory governance in advancing sustainable development across Africa.

During the meeting, the delegation lauded the Minister’s emphasis on citizen engagement, inclusivity, and data-driven decision-making, noting that his insights had significantly enriched the conference dialogue. They expressed their readiness to deepen collaboration with the Ministry in order to translate research and evidence into practical governance solutions for Ghana and beyond.

Hon. Ibrahim, in response, thanked ICED and ISSER for the visit and for continuously positioning Ghana as a hub for research-driven policy discourse by hosting the E2A Conference. He reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with academic and development institutions to ensure that policies are grounded in evidence and responsive to community needs.

The Minister assured the delegation that his Ministry remains open to future collaborations aimed at harmonising research, traditional governance, and citizen participation in the national development agenda.

The courtesy call reaffirmed the shared vision of ICED, ISSER, and the Ministry to promote inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based governance as a foundation for sustainable growth.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

A high-level delegation from the Republic of Zambia has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, as part of a study mission to learn from Ghana’s progress in civil registration and decentralization.

The visit forms part of Zambia’s broader efforts to strengthen its civil registration and vital statistics systems. The delegation expressed keen interest in Ghana’s advancements in the Births and Deaths Registry, innovation, and digitalization. These initiatives, they noted, provide citizens with proof of legal identity an essential requirement for accessing social services such as health care, education, and social protection while also equipping government with accurate data for planning, development monitoring, and emergency response.

As part of their engagement, the delegation was introduced to Ghana’s decentralized governance structure. Mr. Seth Passah, Director for Local Governance and Decentralization, provided a detailed briefing on the mandate of the Ministry and its agencies, highlighting the role decentralization plays in strengthening citizen participation and improving service delivery at the local level.

The exchange created a platform for both Ghana and Zambia to share ideas and best practices that could enhance governance systems in both countries. The Zambian delegation is also scheduled to visit various agencies under the Ministry to gain deeper insights into Ghana’s operational frameworks.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming the value of continuous knowledge-sharing and collaboration in advancing good governance and sustainable development.

Source: Melody Hini-Amoako

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)