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