The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has officially inaugurated a multidisciplinary committee tasked with the formulation of a comprehensive Records Management and Retention Policy. This milestone initiative, led by the Ministry’s Records Management Unit under the General Administration Directorate, seeks to establish a standardised framework for the creation, handling, storage, and preservation of records across all Directorates of the Ministry.

The inaugural meeting of the committee was held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Room, bringing together nominated officers from various Directorates with diverse expertise. The formation of the committee follows Management’s endorsement of the policy initiative, aimed at promoting efficiency, consistency, and improved public service delivery through sound records management practices. The committee has been assigned a working timeline from August to November to carry out the drafting, validation, and finalisation of the policy.

Delivering the opening remarks, Mrs. Nana Amma De-Graft Quaye, Head of the Records Management Unit, underscored the urgent need for a unified approach to managing records. She noted that the absence of a formalised system had led to disjointed practices, which undermined institutional effectiveness and transparency. She expressed optimism that the committee’s work would lay the foundation for a more accountable and data-driven Ministry.

Providing technical oversight for the policy development is Mr. Josiah Okyere Gyimah, Head of the Records Management Division at the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD). In his address, he emphasised the critical role of effective records management in upholding good governance. He highlighted the need for the policy to be supported by a Records Classification Scheme and a Records Retention Schedule to guide the lifecycle of official documents, from creation to disposal or archiving.

Delivering a keynote statement on behalf of the Director of General Administration, Mr. Dela Kemevor, the Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management (RSIM), Mr. Divine Y. Ayidzoe underscored the strategic significance of the committee’s mandate. He emphasized that the forthcoming policy would not only ensure compliance with key legislative frameworks such as the PRAAD Act 533 and the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act but also serve as a driving force for institutional modernization. He encouraged committee members to see themselves not merely as technical contributors, but as visionary leaders shaping a transformative agenda that will enhance governance, operational efficiency, and the Ministry’s long-term impact.

The meeting featured in-depth discussions on the scope of the assignment, key thematic areas, and agreed timelines for drafting, validation, and finalisation of the policy. Emphasis was placed on incorporating digital transformation and long-term preservation mechanisms in line with international best practices and the evolving needs of modern public administration.

When finalised, the Records Management and Retention Policy will serve as a cornerstone for enhancing the Ministry’s institutional memory, data integrity, and responsiveness to citizens. It will also foster greater transparency, reduce operational risks, and ensure the secure handling of both physical and electronic records.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

A high-level validation workshop to review and finalise the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for Ghana’s revised National Urban Policy has been held in Accra on the 29^th July, 2025.

The workshop, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs under the Green Cities Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP), brought together representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, and urban governance experts. The initiative is supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Delivering the opening remarks, PLN. Samuel Seth Passah, Director for Local Governance and Decentralisation at the Ministry, said the event marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s effort to strengthen urban policy implementation.

“This framework is not just a reporting tool. It is an accountability mechanism and a guide for data-driven decisions that improve how our cities grow and serve their people,” he stated.

Developed as part of Workstream 3A of the GCIEP, the M&E Framework outlines structured indicators, baselines, and target outcomes aligned with the National Urban Policy’s core objectives. It is designed to track inputs, activities, outputs, and long-term outcomes, ensuring a results-based approach to urban planning and governance.

In addition to the M&E Framework, a draft Capacity Needs Assessment Report was also shared. The report identifies institutional gaps in staffing, logistics, technical capabilities, and coordination mechanisms across urban governance actors.

A key aspect of the revised Policy is the planned development of an Urban Observatory to support continuous monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting. The Observatory is expected to strengthen institutional accountability and provide timely data for informed decision-making.

Participants were encouraged to provide constructive feedback to refine the framework and ensure its operational feasibility across all levels of government.

The Ministry acknowledged the support of the FCDO and the GCIEP team and reiterated its commitment to implementing the framework in ways that advance inclusive, climate-resilient, and economically vibrant cities across Ghana.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

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)