The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has called on newly appointed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to embrace their roles with purpose, discipline, and a performance-driven mindset, as Ghana embarks on a bold new phase of local governance under the Reset Agenda of the ninth government of the Fourth Republic.

Delivering his welcome address at the official opening of the two-day Orientation and Training Programme at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra, the Minister expressed deep appreciation to His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, for his unwavering commitment to decentralisation and for personally gracing the ceremony despite his demanding schedule.

He further extended profound gratitude to the Vice President, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and other distinguished dignitaries including the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Chairman of the Council of State, senior party leadership, and technical experts, for their collective presence, which, he said, speaks volumes of the national importance attached to local leadership.

In acknowledging the processes leading to the confirmation of the new MMDCEs, the Minister noted that approximately 99% of nominees have been duly confirmed, many with overwhelming one-touch endorsements by their assemblies, a clear vote of confidence in their competence and potential. He credited this success to the diligent work of the Vetting Committee, chaired by Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, which ensured the nomination of suitable leaders for local government.

Describing the occasion as historic, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim noted that this is the earliest MMDCE orientation to be organised since the inception of the 1992 Constitution, and that it signifies a deep urgency to hit the ground running. He reminded MMDCEs that the expectations of Ghanaians are exceedingly high following the endorsement of the Reset Agenda in the 2024 elections, and therefore, business-as-usual attitudes must give way to action-oriented leadership.

“Do not be carried away by the titles and perks of the job,” the Minister advised. “Let the celebrations end, and let your real work begin with humility, collaboration, and a deep resolve to serve, not to be served.”

He urged the MMDCEs to become the chief implementers of the President’s vision across all 261 districts of Ghana, translating policy into action, and driving visible, people-centred development in every community. He reminded them that their human relations and capacity to engage meaningfully with citizens will be crucial to their success.

The Minister also elaborated on the theme of the orientation: “Strengthening Local Governance through the Reset Agenda.” He said the theme reflects a strategic commitment to reorient public service delivery, deepen decentralisation, and reassert the values of good governance, responsiveness, and innovation. He encouraged the MMDCEs to avoid becoming “armchair administrators” and instead emulate the President’s example by staying connected with the grassroots.

A key portion of the Minister’s remarks highlighted the unique structure of the Ministry itself, which now brings together Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, three pillars that have long operated independently but are now harmonised to unlock synergy in local governance. He urged the MMDCEs to leverage this ‘tripod’ structure to strengthen accountability, coordination, and inclusive development within their districts.

Touching on the content of the training programme, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim explained that the two-day orientation is not a mere ceremonial formality, but rather a foundational exercise that will equip the MMDCEs with the philosophies, tools, and leadership values required for effective performance. He listed core areas to be covered, including: the development blueprint of the ninth government; the Local Governance Act (Act 936); the 24-Hour Economy and flagship programmes; local security and public accountability; youth empowerment; revenue mobilisation and prudent financial management; and partnerships with traditional, religious and civil society actors.

While acknowledging existing challenges such as weak supervision, staff discipline, and low internally generated funds (IGF) across many MMDAs, the Minister expressed confidence that these can be overcome through renewed energy, innovation, and hands-on leadership. He called for strengthened monitoring and effective performance oversight as tools to drive district transformation.

He ended by charging the MMDCEs to take ownership of flagship programmes such as the 24-Hour Economy Markets, the Clean-Up Ghana Initiative, Blue Water Guards, Adwumawura Programme, and the National Poultry Development Programme. He pledged the continued support of the Ministry, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), and Regional Coordinating Councils in providing technical guidance, capacity development, and performance support.

“Together, let us build stronger communities and a better Ghana for all,” the Minister declared, warmly welcoming the MMDCEs into their new leadership journey.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has held a capacity-building workshop in Accra to equip staff from its Departments and Agencies with practical guidance on budget implementation procedures and fund utilisation.

The workshop, facilitated by MLGCRA in collaboration with technical teams from the Ministry of Finance, focused on strengthening staff understanding of the Budget Implementation Instructions, a critical component in ensuring that funds allocated for development purposes are fully accessed, properly applied, and effectively accounted for.

Addressing participants at the session, Chief Budget Analyst, Madam Freda Faah, underscored the importance of equipping staff with the right knowledge and tools to navigate Ghana’s public financial management framework. She noted that budget implementation is not merely a technical routine but a strategic process that determines whether developmental funds translate into real, measurable outcomes.

“Resources may be allocated, but without the proper capacity to access and implement, those funds risk being underutilised or returned to government coffers,” Madam Faah stated. “This engagement is meant to demystify the process, empower staff, and ensure that no opportunity for development is lost due to gaps in understanding or execution.”

Participants were taken through key aspects of the Budget Implementation Instructions, including fund disbursement procedures, compliance requirements, financial reporting timelines, and strategies for aligning expenditure with sector targets.

The workshop also forms part of the Ministry’s broader internal reform agenda to enhance operational efficiency, improve project delivery outcomes, and drive home the principle that accountable budgeting is central to local governance and service delivery.

By the end of the session, staff had gained clarity on their specific roles in the budget chain and committed to applying the lessons learned in the execution of their respective departmental mandates.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

As part of efforts to operationalise President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is leading the charge in rolling out the 24-Hour Economy Markets, a flagship intervention that seeks to deepen local economic development and decentralisation.

On Tuesday, the Ministry engaged four consulting firms in Accra to assess preliminary design proposals for the initiative. The meeting forms part of the preparatory process to select a final concept that reflects the needs of stakeholders and the diverse economic realities across Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

In his remarks, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable development across all districts. He announced that resources for the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Markets would be channelled directly to the MMDAs to allow for ownership and context-driven execution.

However, he stressed that the Ministry would maintain a firm monitoring role to ensure standardisation, quality control, and transparency in the use of funds.

    “The 24-Hour Economy is a collective responsibility,” Hon. Ibrahim noted. “Let us shift our focus to the possibilities this policy unlocks, especially for local enterprises and make the most of this transformative opportunity.”

The initiative aligns with the broader decentralisation agenda of the Ministry, aiming to reduce urban migration and economic congestion in capital cities by creating thriving economic centres at the local level. The 24-Hour Economy Markets are expected to operate round-the-clock, offering opportunities for expanded trade, job creation, and inclusive growth.

A final design proposal will be selected in consultation with key sector actors, development partners, and local government stakeholders, setting the tone for a phased rollout of the markets across the country.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)