Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has underscored the importance of youth empowerment as a tool to combat the increasing youth drug abuse at the La Traditional Area and its environs.

Speaking under the theme “Empowering Ghanaian Youth: Breaking the Chains of Drug Abuse through Cultural Heritage and Community Support,” at the 2025 Afrimi Yam Festival on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 at Abese La - Adonten, a sub-burb of Accra, she hailed the role of traditional festivals in shaping societal values and rebuilding stronger communities.  She stressed that the time was a perfect one for the Chiefs and people of La to stand firm and support the young ones in the area.

According to her, “festivals like Afrimi are not just celebrations, they are platforms for reflection, education, and renewal. Through dance, storytelling, and rites, we instill discipline, resilience, and pride in our youth and these are tools to resist the pull of substance abuse.”

Hon. Sowah commended Abese La‑Adonten Mantse, Nii Kwade Okropong I, for his transformational leadership and dedication to cultural progress, adding that the fight against drug abuse is a shared responsibility among traditional leaders, faith-based institutions, educators, and parents.

She used the opportunity to comment on some of government's flagship programmes geared at boosting local economic development, reaffirming government’s commitment to the “National Reset Agenda” and the 24-Hour Economy Strategy.

 The Deputy Minister outlined some key initiatives aimed at empowering young people, like the Youth Resource Centres across all sixteen regions to provide counselling, training, and recreation; Expanded vocational, digital, and entrepreneurial programmes; labour law reforms for youth-friendly workspaces; and the Increased youth participation in local governance.

 She emphasized that the initiatives  are not just interventions, rather, they are bold investments in the future of the youth, and urged the Chiefs and people to take advantage of it, stating that most of the young people engaging in the drug menace could be re-oriented and given employable skills to help reduce the scourge  of drug abuse.

She pledged the Ministry’s support in community-led youth development initiatives at the La Traditional Area, calling for closer collaboration between traditional authorities and government institutions.

Hon. Sowah also praised the Afrimi Festival Oversight Committee for its efforts in organising a well-structured, purpose-driven celebration, urging that the festival become a catalyst for a wider social movement.

She was  hopeful that the festival will unite and become a great force to enhance development in the area, stating that her appointment as the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs must bring unity among the chiefs in the La Traditional Area where she hails from.

Nii Kwade Okropong I used the occasion to appreciate and celebrate the Deputy Minister for her continuous support and contribution to the La Traditional Area. He gave her a citation and a plaque, in demonstration of how she has immensely contributed to her community over the years, giving her all to La and also making them proud with her appointment as the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has underscored the urgent need for data-driven, inclusive, and community led governance as a cornerstone for sustainable development in Africa.

Delivering the keynote address at the 8th Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference and Exhibition held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Hon. Ibrahim stressed the importance of participatory governance informed by reliable data, citizen feedback, and inclusive decision-making processes.

“Participatory governance must also be evidence informed. Policies are only as strong as the data and insights behind them,” the Minister emphasized, adding that empowering citizens, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, is essential for inclusive development.

The three day conference, jointly organised by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) and ISSER, brought together scholars, development practitioners, policymakers, civil society actors, and international partners under the theme “Advancing Participatory Governance for Sustainable Development in Africa.”

Hon. Ibrahim acknowledged ICED and its partners for selecting Ghana to host the conference for the fourth time, and praised the theme for aligning with his Ministry’s renewed vision of “a decentralised local governance, upholding traditional values, religious co-existence in a clean environment for equitable and balanced development.”

He reflected on the unique structure of the Ministry now a tripod encompassing Local Governance, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs noting that the merger reflects a strategic policy shift aimed at harmonizing governance efforts rooted in tradition, faith, and civic administration.

“This structure strategically brings together three key institutions that have always been part of Ghana’s local governance system but operated separately. Their merger fosters collective action for more effective local governance and development,” he stated.

Highlighting major government interventions, the Minister cited the implementation of the Local Economic Development (LED) Policy (2024–2029) and Ghana’s ongoing decentralisation strategy as practical examples of participatory governance in action. The LED Policy, he said, empowers Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate with local actors to unlock economic opportunities at the grassroots.

Hon. Ibrahim also touched on the Government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, designed to stimulate productivity and create jobs across key sectors. He announced that 25% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) will be dedicated to constructing state-of-the-art, culturally relevant markets to support this policy.

“These markets will reflect our cultural identity and respond to the aspirations of market women and local businesses,” he noted.

The Minister also disclosed plans to re-launch the National Sanitation Day (NSD) under the broader “Cleanup Ghana Initiative,” which will go beyond symbolic clean-up exercises to become a sustained, citizen-led behavioural change campaign. He outlined measures for MMDAs to enforce sanitation by-laws, partner with waste management actors, and integrate sanitation into community engagement strategies.

“Sanitation is not the job of waste collectors alone. It is a collective civic obligation,” he asserted.

In closing, Hon. Ibrahim called on participants to generate a practical policy note from the conference one that offers actionable ideas to enhance participatory governance in Ghana and beyond. He pledged the Ministry’s support in translating the conference’s evidence into policy reforms that are grounded in community realities.

“Governance is not just about the state it is about people, communities, traditional leaders, and civil society. Their voices must not be seen as optional, but essential to how we govern,” he concluded.

The 8th E2A Conference continues through July 18, 2025, with panel discussions, exhibitions, and workshops designed to turn data and dialogue into tangible development outcomes across the continent.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

In line with the Local Government Act 2016, (Act 936), the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has formally inaugurated the Sixth Local Government Service Council, with a call on council members to drive transformation in local governance and public service delivery.

In his inaugural address on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 at the Ministry's conference room, the sector Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that the inauguration of the Council was a reaffirmation of the President’s commitment to revitalizing local governance system to deliver results and promote inclusion.

 He indicated that the Local Government Service is the frontline of development, as it always deals with the people at the grassroot and are thus able to transmit feedback to shape policy development that reflect the aspirations of citizens.

In congratulating the members on their appointment, Hon. Ibrahim expressed government's confidence in their capacity to elevate the Local Government Service to greater heights. The Council is chaired by Ambassador Akua Sena Dansua (a former M.P, Minister, and Ambassador).

The Minister reminded them of their statutory mandate as stated in the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), to ensure the effective administration of the decentralized local government system and charged them to promote professionalism, accountability, and measurable performance across the service, noting that a responsive and well-trained workforce is key to modernizing local government.

While recognizing the high expectations despite the increasing complexities in the local governance system, the Minister called for integrity, strategic collaboration, and openness in the execution of their duty as the Sixth Local Government Service Council. He encouraged the Council to forge strong partnerships with institutions and development partners, stressing that a united front will make local government a true engine for national transformation.

Hon. Ibrahim further urged the Council to build on the legacy of their predecessors but exceed it in innovation and impact. He pledged the Ministry’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Council to address challenges and strengthen service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, the Chairperson, Amb. Akua Sena Dansua, acknowledged the challenges involved in the system, but assured President John Dramani Mahama that the Council will provide the requisite support, guidance and advice to drive the decentralisation mandate and make Ghanaians proud.

She was of the view that the Council's job is daunting, however, with the experience , expertise as well as the rich and diverse background of the council members, they will work assiduously to make the appointing authority proud, and Ghanaians happy.

The Sixth Service Council , also includes the following as members;   Audrey  Smock Amosa PhD (National Development Planning Commission), Prof Nicholas Awortwi (Institute of Local Government Studies),  Inusah Shirazu (Ministry of Education), Koku Awoonor -Williams (MD, PhD, Ministry of Health). Other members are: Prof. Lord Mensah (Office of Head of Local Government Service), Michael Harry Yamson (District Assembly Common Fund), Amin Abdul -Rahaman (Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs), Alfred Askedy Adjei (National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana), Mahmood Shakil Kpedau (Local Government Workers' Union) and Buipewura Mahama Abdulai Jinapor II ()National House of Chiefs.

The rest are Christopher Kwaku Dapaah, Richard Fiadomor PhD, Nubyl Kakra Vanlare and Mary Ampong.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA