The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) on Monday, 20th October 2025, held a high-level meeting to prepare a detailed document for submission to the Presidency.

This follows a directive from the Office of the President calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to assess the impact and progress of ongoing bilateral and multilateral projects under their supervision. The assessment also seeks to identify challenges, determine areas that may require review, and explore potential collaborations to enhance project delivery.

The Ministry’s report, which is expected to be data-driven, will provide a clear picture of the achievements and outcomes of various projects being implemented under the MLGCRA. The Ministry is scheduled to make its presentation to President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, 24th October 2025.

The Technical Team lead and the Director in charge of  Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME), Mr. Usama Iddrisu Samu, noted that the Ministry has eight development partners and fourteen bilateral and multilateral projects and programmes with each having its own focus aimed at enhancing national security and promoting sustainable development.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim commended the Chief Director, Alhaji Amin Abdul- Rahaman, the technical team working on the document, as well as all Directors, Staff, and Project Coordinators for their swift response and commitment to the assignment.

He lauded their collective effort in putting together a comprehensive and detailed presentation aimed at helping the President gain a deeper understanding of the Ministry’s ongoing projects and how they are contributing to effective local governance and development at the grassroots level.

According to the Minister, all Directors and Project Coordinators should remain committed to ensuring that all projects under their purview align with the national development agenda and deliver tangible benefits to local communities across the country.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Omanhene of Akuapem Mampong, Osabarima Kwame Otu Dartey III, has appealed to government through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to support efforts aimed at reviving cocoa cultivation in the area, describing it as a vital source of livelihood that once sustained many families within the traditional area.

He made the appeal at this year’s Ohum Festival celebration, held on Saturday, 18th October 2025 on the theme; 'Ensuring Sustainable Use of Our Natural Resources: The Role of Traditional Leaders.'

According to Osabarima Dartey III, cocoa farming used to be the mainstay of the Mampong community, providing employment and economic stability for the youth and elderly alike. He, however, lamented that many cocoa farms have been abandoned over the years, leaving the once vibrant sector in decline.

He expressed the worry that Akuapem Mampong cocoa farms were wasting away, yet this could have been a source of job creation for the youth if given the necessary support and called on government and relevant agencies to help restore this important economic activity.

Touching on the theme, the Omanhene urged traditional leaders across the country to be ambassadors in the fight against illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies and agricultural lands. He noted that while this was not prevalent in Akuapem, its ripple effects on water and food security in other regions had nationwide implications.

He warned that if the situation persists, the country may one day have to import water, adding that chemicals used in illegal mining also contaminate farm produce, posing health risks to communities.

On sanitation, Osabarima Dartey III emphasized that cleanliness should begin at home, urging residents to take personal responsibility for maintaining hygienic surroundings instead of waiting for government to clean the dirt they create, stressing that this was a civic duty.

This year’s Ohum Festival is aimed at raising funds towards the construction of a new palace for the traditional area envisioned as a hub for cultural education and a forum where young people can learn about their history and traditions.

The event brought together chiefs, queenmothers, and community members from across Akuapem to celebrate their heritage.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah has called on traditional leaders to take a firm stand against illegal mining and other environmentally destructive practices, warning that the continued degradation of Ghana’s natural resources threatens the nation’s sustainable future.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister at the 2025 Ohum Festival of the Akuapem Mampong’s, in the Easter Region on Saturday, 20^th October 2025, she said the menace of illegal mining continues to undermine government’s investment in national development and environmental conservation.

The Deputy Minister observed that, Ghana is blessed with fertile lands, forests, minerals, and water bodies. Yet these resources are under increasing pressure from illegal mining, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable farming practices and cautioned that if traditional leaders do not act decisively and collectively, the land that fed our ancestors will not be able to feed the younger generations.

she emphasized that traditional leaders remain the original custodians of Ghana’s lands, forests, and rivers, and therefore have a moral and cultural duty to lead community efforts to protect the environment.

According to Hon. Sowah, Chiefs can play a critical role by enforcing community by-laws, discouraging illegal mining and sand winning, and promoting reforestation and environmental education among their subjects.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepen collaboration with the chieftaincy institution, noting that the Ministry continues to integrate traditional authorities into local governance structures to enhance participatory and sustainable development.

She used the platform to inform the traditional leaders and the people of Akuapem Mampong series of development projects launched by President John Dramani Mahama, such as infrastructure expansion, sanitation improvement, and local economic empowerment initiatives programs which, he said, can only yield their full benefits if Ghana’s natural environment is preserved.

She further noted that the projects were designed to uplift the communities, but they will lose their impact if the lands and rivers that sustain the people are destroyed. The fight against illegal mining must therefore be seen as a shared national responsibility.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA