In a significant stride towards understanding and addressing poverty, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq, launched Ghana's first Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) at Alisa Hotel, Accra.
The event, graced by high-profile attendees including Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, Government Statistician, and Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Director-General for the National Development Planning Commission, marked a pivotal moment in the country's approach to poverty measurement and reduction.
Hon. Assafuah Esq emphasized the importance of viewing poverty through a multidimensional lens rather than solely through income levels. He highlighted that the MPI would foster increased interest and dialogue on aligning microdata, statistics, and policy to more effectively combat poverty.
The Deputy Minister noted that while Ghana made significant strides in poverty reduction during the early 21st century, recent global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic have reversed some of these gains. He stressed the need for coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches to address the complex and interconnected drivers of poverty.
He revealed that the latest data indicates a positive economic recovery with GDP growth and reduced inflation rates. However, he acknowledged that despite these improvements, substantial challenges remain, as evidenced by the modest reduction in poverty rates relative to GDP growth.
Hon. Assafuah Esq lauded the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for its dedication in producing the MPI reports, which are crucial for evidence-based planning and implementation at local levels. The reports will assist in targeting beneficiaries for various programs and projects, and provide baseline data to monitor local development progress.
The MPI reports, according to Hon. Assafuah Esq, will support the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025 and the monitoring of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He urged MMDCEs and officers to leverage these reports to guide their developmental strategies.
Hon. Assafuah Esq reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to ensuring that MMDAs utilize the MPI reports to inform policy and design effective interventions. He called on all stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society, and the private sector, to collaborate in this mission to alleviate poverty and improve food security for vulnerable households.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD)