The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on traditional leaders to play a central role in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriage in Ghana.

In a speech read on his behalf during an engagement with members of the National House of Chiefs, held at the House’s Conference Hall in Manhyia, Kumasi, he emphasized on the critical role Chiefs have in their traditional areas and the urgent need for them to use these influence to promote better practices and promote development.

The meeting, which was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), forms part of a series of training the Ministry was embarking on with the UNFPA which focused on gender equality, harmful cultural practices, and measures to protect children’s rights.

 Hon. Ibrahim noted that while Ghana has policies and laws to curb child marriage, the practice persists in some areas, sometimes with the involvement of traditional leaders. He stressed that under Article 273(5) of the 1992 Constitution, the National House of Chiefs has the mandate to evaluate traditional customs and eliminate those that are outdated and socially harmful.

He was of the view that,  although ending child marriage was a complex challenge requiring shared responsibility, Traditional leaders, as custodians of culture, have both the moral authority and the constitutional mandate to challenge harmful practices and promote positive values.

The Minister stated that  the Ministry’s partnership with UNFPA and the Obaapa Development Foundation under the Global Programme to End Child Marriage is targeted at empowering  traditional leaders, promoting social norms that reject child marriage, strengthening advocacy, and sharing best practices.

He revealed that through this engagement,  seven paramount areas , such as; Anfoeaga, Bongo, Agona Nyarkom, Akwamu, Ave Have, Ogua, and Avatime have  declared an end to child marriage and these declarations demonstrate the critical role of traditional authorities in changing community attitudes toward GBV and harmful practices.

Hon. Ibrahim commended UNFPA for its support and urged more traditional areas to make similar commitments to ensure sustainable progress, adding that lasting change depends on community-led efforts.

In his remarks, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi III appealed to the members to partner this project and speak against it at their various traditional areas. He also charged the UNFPA to invest in the education  of girls who  survivor from Child Marriage from secondary through to tertiary, rather than just giving them a skill.

He then pledged his support to cater for the tuition fee of a survivor who shared her story during the meeting  and the progress she has made so far in the skill she has been trained in.

The Country Director for UNFPA, Dr Winfred Ochan thanked the Ministry for it continuous support in the fight against GBV and child marriage over the years and expressed the hope that Chiefs will make the declaration of ending child marriage at their various traditional area. He mentioned that his organisation together with Obaapa foundation will support with the needed sensitization drive.

Touching on the recommendations made by the President of the National House of Chiefs and other members of the House, he gave the assurance that the UNFPA will consider training survivors through secondary and tertiary education while complimenting it with a skill that will equip them with  financial stability.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has lauded the invaluable contributions of queenmothers to the effective functioning of the chieftaincy institution.

She emphasized that queenmothers play a pivotal role in supporting their chiefs and fostering harmony within traditional leadership structures. Hon. Sowah encouraged them to continue offering wise counsel and uphold their chiefs with dignity and respect, in line with the spirit of the Affirmative Action Bill, which seeks to promote greater inclusion of women in leadership.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks on Monday, 6th October 2025, when she received a delegation from the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council, led by the Paramount Chief, His Gracious Majesty, Oseadeeyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV, at the Ministry in Accra.

Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Sowah highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to engaging traditional authorities, describing them as the custodians of Ghana’s cultural heritage and land. She reiterated that the Ministry, as the institution mandated to supervise and coordinate the administration of chieftaincy affairs, values such interactions which strengthen collaboration between government and traditional institutions.

Responding to the Traditional Council’s request for their area to be elevated to metropolitan status, Hon. Sowah explained that the process follows a clearly defined procedure. She advised the delegation to formally submit a detailed proposal supported by relevant documentation for the Ministry’s technical officers to assess and provide appropriate recommendations.

The Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku, His Gracious Majesty, Oseadeeyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV expressed the delegation’s appreciation to the Ministry for the warm reception and noted that they will go back with the clarity they have received to provide the necessary documentation to the technical officers for assessment.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), has held a stakeholder engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from the Tema enclave to discuss and find lasting solutions to challenges arising from land management and development control in the area.

The meeting brought together MMDCEs from Tema West, Kpone-Katamanso, Ashaiman, Krowor, and Tema Metropolitan Assemblies to deliberate on issues involving the Tema Development Company (TDC).

During the discussions, the MMDCEs appealed to the Ministry to reinforce their mandate as the legitimate authorities responsible for local governance and spatial development control within their jurisdictions. They expressed concern about the increasing incidents of land-related irregularities and the need for clear delineation of responsibilities between the assemblies and TDC.

According to the MMDCEs, access to the approved local plan would enable them to effectively safeguard government lands, ensure proper spatial demarcations, and curb unauthorized developments. They emphasized that empowering the assemblies in line with the Local Governance Act would help strengthen accountability and reduce corruption in land administration.

The meeting, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of LUSPA, Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah underscored the importance of coordinated planning to guide development in the rapidly expanding Tema area. The Spatial committee were encouraged to intensify public sensitization on the distinction between temporary structures and those requiring planning permits.

The discussions also highlighted the need to streamline the processes for development permit while ensuring that all fees and charges due to the government are properly collected to enhance local revenue mobilization.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering collaboration among key stakeholders to promote orderly development, transparency, and effective land use management across the country.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Affairs Unit, MLGCRA