Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, has officially assumed office today following his swearing-in by the President of the Republic. Speaking during his maiden interaction with the staff of the Ministry, including Directors, Project Coordinators, and Heads of Departments and Agencies under the Ministry's supervision, Hon. Ibrahim outlined his vision and priorities for the Ministry's operations.
The occasion also presented an opportunity for Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim to engage members of the press. He took the platform to articulate his vision for the Ministry and his approach to the role he has assumed. “This Ministry plays a pivotal role in our national development, and I am fully committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to deliver on our mandate,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized the strategic merger of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs into one entity. According to him, this move by the government is aimed at fostering synergy and emphasizing the roles of these institutions in deepening decentralization and local governance for effective service delivery.
He noted that the meeting was an opportunity to familiarize himself with his staff and key stakeholders while sharing the government’s vision for the Ministry. Hon. Ibrahim explained that the merger was not merely administrative but a deliberate effort to harmonize these critical institutions to serve the people better.
In his address, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim highlighted three key focus areas for his administration. He underscored the importance of deepening decentralization and local governance, ensuring that local governance structures are empowered to respond effectively to the needs of citizens. He also spoke about strengthening the chieftaincy institution, stating that traditional authorities would be provided with the necessary support to perform their roles in maintaining social cohesion and cultural preservation.
Additionally, he emphasized the need to facilitate religious institutions, creating an enabling environment for these organizations to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Minister also made sanitation and waste management a top priority for the Ministry. He expressed his commitment to ensuring cleaner and healthier cities and towns across the country, describing sanitation as fundamental to sustainable development. “We must work together to make sanitation and waste management a national priority. A healthy environment is critical to achieving our development goals,” he affirmed.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his readiness to build a productive relationship with the media, emphasizing the crucial role of the press in promoting transparency and creating awareness about the Ministry’s initiatives. “I believe the press is a key partner in shaping public discourse and amplifying the work we are doing. I look forward to working closely with you,” he remarked.
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman on behalf of the staff of the Ministry welcomed the Minister’s vision with enthusiasm, pledging their support to help implement his agenda.
Members of the press also lauded his clear articulation of priorities and his proactive approach to addressing the challenges facing the Ministry.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim’s first day at work signals the beginning of a tenure focused on decentralization, chieftaincy, religious affairs, and environmental sanitation. His vision sets a strong foundation for advancing local governance and driving national development.
SOURCE: MATILDA TETTEY & DARLING MAAME EFUA CANN