Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to Ghana’s agro-industrial development by participating in the National Agribusiness Dialogue 2025 held in Accra.

The high-level forum, organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited and development partners, was held under the theme “Resetting Agribusiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Growth.” It brought together over 250 stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, academia, and development institutions.

The Dialogue was officially opened by the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, who delivered the keynote address. He emphasised the need to reverse Ghana’s over-reliance on food imports—currently valued at over $2 billion annually by promoting local production, agro-processing, and exports. He described the Dialogue as a strategic platform to shape policies and investment frameworks for a competitive agribusiness sector.

Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah’s participation highlighted the essential role of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in supporting the localisation of agribusiness policies through decentralised development structures. Her presence underscored the Ministry’s role in facilitating grassroots adoption of national strategies aimed at food security, rural transformation, and inclusive industrial growth.

The event featured plenaries, thematic breakout sessions, and fireside chats focused on key areas such as agricultural financing, value chain development, environmental sustainability, policy coherence, and inclusive participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Outcomes from the Dialogue are expected to feed into the development and implementation of the forthcoming National Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Policy (NAAP), aimed at accelerating Ghana’s transition to a resilient, inclusive, and self-sustaining agribusiness economy.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

As part of Ghana's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Week celebrations, key players in the have organised a special event aimed at solving one of Ghana’s biggest challenges – access to clean and safe water.

The event, themed, “Expanding Access through Innovation: Israeli Water-Tech for Ghana’s WASH Sector,” was organized by the Economic and Trade Mission of Israel to Ghana, in partnership with CONIWAS and with support from the Israel Export Institute.

The gathering focused on practical, proven solutions to improve WASH outcomes across Ghana. Five Israeli companies presented field-tested water technologies that have already made a difference elsewhere and could help address Ghana’s water needs.

Speakers at the event emphasized the power of collaboration, stressing that real change happens when governments, NGOs, communities, and the private sector work together.

Israel is known worldwide for turning water scarcity into water security using innovation and resilience. By combining this expertise with Ghana’s local insight and commitment, organizers believe the two countries can move closer to achieving safe, reliable water access for all

The event ended on a hopeful note, with calls to build strong partnerships that lead to real, lasting change in Ghana’s WASH sector.

Background

The WASH Project in Ghana focuses on improving access to clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices to support public health and development. Many communities still struggle with water and sanitation challenges, but efforts from the government, NGOs, and partners like Israel are helping to change this. Through initiatives like Ghana WASH Week, practical and innovative solutions such as Israeli water technology are being introduced to ensure safe and sustainable water access for all.

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the successful completion of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening project implementation across participating municipalities. The Ministry is working diligently with relevant stakeholders to resolve challenges, enhance project outcomes, and maximise the long-term impact of the initiative.

On Monday, July 29, officials from the Ministry met with stakeholders from the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly, including the Municipal Chief Executive and the Coordinating Director. Also present were project consultants and key contractors executing various projects within the municipality. The meeting formed part of a broader strategy to address project variations and other emerging issues that could hinder progress under the GSCSP.

The Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme is a flagship urban development initiative aimed at improving urban management and basic service delivery in selected municipal assemblies across the country. Sefwi Wiawso is among the beneficiary municipalities, with several ongoing infrastructure and development projects currently at various stages of execution. However, as is often the case with large-scale infrastructure programmes, certain implementation challenges have arisen, necessitating timely interventions.

During the meeting, contractors had the opportunity to present specific issues affecting the progress of their projects. Consultants and technical officers from both the Ministry and the Municipal Assembly offered guidance and technical solutions, all within the framework of existing project guidelines and legal provisions. The discussions emphasised transparency, strict adherence to contract terms, and the importance of effective communication between all parties involved.

The meeting concluded with a strong appeal to contractors to honour their contractual obligations, operate within legal and regulatory standards, and deliver high-quality work on schedule. The Ministry underscored its resolve to prevent delays and ensure that the objectives of the GSCSP are fully realised, given the programme’s critical role in transforming Ghana’s secondary cities into well-managed, service-oriented urban hubs.

This engagement highlights the Ministry’s proactive approach to project oversight and its continued collaboration with municipal assemblies and service providers. Through consistent monitoring, stakeholder dialogue, and technical support, MLGCRA is working to ensure that the GSCSP yields tangible and lasting benefits for urban residents in municipalities such as Sefwi Wiawso.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)