The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has held a national validation workshop to finalize the revised Environmental Sanitation Policy (ESP), National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP), and Strategic Environmental Sanitation Investment Plan (SESIP). The event took place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra and brought together stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

The Deputy Minister, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP), who delivered the welcome statement on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, emphasized the need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking sanitation policy framework to respond to Ghana’s growing population and urbanization challenges. She stated that the revised documents reflect new thinking, strategic direction, and stakeholder inputs gathered over a year and a half of consultations across all levels national, regional, and district.

According to the Deputy Minister, the 2021 Population and Housing Census indicates that access to basic sanitation (exclusive household use) remains low at 25.3%, while open defecation reduced only marginally from 19% in 2010 to 17.7% in 2021. Handwashing with soap practices have also declined from 48% in 2017 to 41.5% in 2021.

These statistics, she noted, call for urgent, coordinated action by all stakeholders to reverse the trend.The revised policy aims to address these gaps by providing a clear implementation framework, an investment plan, and actionable strategies to improve sanitation outcomes nationwide. It also aligns with Ghana’s national development agenda and global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An assessment by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in 2023 identified sanitation as the most interlinked SDG area in Ghana, influencing progress in education, health, productivity, and environmental sustainability.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that five SDGs have been prioritized by the NDPC for targeted attention, with SDG 6.2, which focuses on ending open defecation and ensuring access to sanitation and hygiene taking center stage. She reiterated that achieving these goals requires a collective effort, adding, “Sanitation is everybody’s responsibility, and the Ministry cannot do it alone.”

Participants at the workshop reviewed the revised policy framework and discussed strategies for effective implementation, including financing, institutional responsibilities, social behavior change, and infrastructure development. The documents are expected to be submitted to Cabinet for approval following the validation exercise.

The Ministry expressed appreciation to all stakeholders including development partners such as the World Bank for their continued support and contributions to the review process. The final policy documents are expected to serve as a guiding framework for sustainable sanitation service delivery and environmental management across Ghana.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Steering Committee of the District Assemblies Common Fund – Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG) convened a meeting to review and approve the 2025 Annual Workplan of the Programme.

The meeting, held in Accra, was chaired by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim. It brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the planned activities under the DACF-RFG for the year ahead.

At the heart of the discussions was the need to secure the Committee’s endorsement to proceed with the implementation of the proposed workplan, which outlines critical interventions aimed at strengthening local governance, enhancing service delivery at the district level, and accelerating development in beneficiary Assemblies.

The meeting marks a significant step toward ensuring the smooth rollout of activities under the 2025 workplan, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to decentralisation and accountable local governance.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustainable urban development, affordable housing, and climate-smart infrastructure at the Resumed Second Session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly held from Thursday, 29th to Friday, 30th May 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Delivering Ghana’s national statement, the Honourable Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, underscored the country’s strategic integration of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its national and local development frameworks.

Representing President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana, Hon.  Adjei extended appreciation to UN-Habitat for its continued partnership, particularly in supporting initiatives such as the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme. This flagship programme, implemented with the support of UN-Habitat, is designed to promote localized implementation of the 2030 Agenda through data-driven planning, SDG alignment tools, and certification incentives for municipalities.

Highlighting Ghana’s ongoing urban challenges, the Minister disclosed that the nation continues to face a housing deficit exceeding 1.8 million units, with 56.7 percent of its population now residing in urban centres. He stressed the urgency of structured urban planning, accessible housing, and inclusive infrastructure development to match the pace of urbanisation.

To address these needs, the Government of Ghana has launched the District Housing Programme, an innovative initiative promoting investment in climate-smart, affordable housing in underserved districts, supported by complementary infrastructure to drive balanced spatial development across the country.

In line with global decarbonisation efforts, Ghana in 2024 unveiled a National Roadmap to Decarbonise the Building and Construction Sector, in collaboration with UNEP, UN-Habitat, and UNOPS. The roadmap outlines Ghana’s commitment to reducing emissions from the built environment and building climate-resilient infrastructure.

Hon.  Adjei expressed Ghana’s full support for the ten resolutions adopted at the Assembly, as well as the outcomes of the 2023 Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR). He affirmed Ghana’s endorsement of the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan of UN-Habitat, as well as global initiatives focusing on adequate housing, people-centred smart cities, and inclusive stakeholder engagement policies.

The Minister Adjei reaffirmed Ghana’s collective resolve to work collaboratively with Member States, development partners, and stakeholders to advance the SDGs, the New Urban Agenda, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“The vision of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities is one we must pursue with unity, innovation, and resolve,” the Minister declared.

The UN-Habitat Assembly serves as the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. The 2025 session brought together government ministers, mayors, urban experts, and civil society organisations from around the world to chart a forward-looking agenda for urban resilience and equity.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)