Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has called for deeper interfaith collaboration and sustained efforts to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in Ghana. She made the call on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, at the TOSM Peaceful Coexistence Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Sowah acknowledged the Church of Pentecost for hosting the timely interfaith dialogue and commended the participation of leaders from diverse religious backgrounds.

“In a world increasingly fractured by conflict and religious division, our commitment to peaceful coexistence must remain an unwavering beacon of hope for our nation’s future,” the Minister stated in his speech.

The conference brought together stakeholders from the Christian and Muslim communities, as well as leaders from other religious faiths and civil society, to reflect on issues of national importance and promote unity across belief systems.

The Minister’s statement emphasized that both Christianity and Islam rooted in the Abrahamic tradition—share values of compassion, justice, and service to humanity. These shared values, he noted, have long bound Ghanaians together across communities and homes.

However, the Minister also cautioned that isolated cases of religious tension and abuse continue to threaten this harmony. He referenced findings from a recent national study which identified worrying trends such as religious intolerance, noise pollution, exploitation of the vulnerable, gender-based violence, child marriage, and other unethical practices conducted in the name of religion.

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at a goal,” the Minister stated, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Each of us must be committed to the peace agenda.”

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to develop a National Policy on Religion, which will help to regulate religious practices, promote responsible religious leadership, and protect the rights and dignity of all citizens regardless of faith.

Hon. Sowah also highlighted ongoing ecumenical and interfaith efforts both within Christian and Muslim communities to unify under common platforms to advance national dialogue and religious accountability.

The Minister’s speech concluded with a passionate appeal to all Ghanaians to embody the values of tolerance, empathy, and shared responsibility.

“Let us remain each other’s keepers. Let peace be our guide and unity our purpose. Together, we can build a Ghana where every citizen lives in dignity, guided by faith, bound by love, and united in purpose.”

The three-day conference, running from July 9 to 11, features prayer sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative strategies designed to shape a national agenda for religious coexistence and civic cohesion.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

How MLGCRA is Building an Inclusive Culture from the Inside Out

(By Darling Maame Efua Cann)

Before tasks are assigned, before reports are submitted, and long before results are celebrated, there is deeper work that must be done. It is the work of creating understanding among colleagues, of making space for every voice at the table, of recognising that gender is not just policy it’s personal.

At the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), this work is being intentionally nurtured. Through a transformative Gender Mainstreaming Sensitization Workshop held on July 2, 2025, the Ministry has begun a powerful internal shift: shaping not just programmes, but people and laying the foundation for a more respectful, responsive, and inclusive work environment.

The workshop, led by the Ministry’s Gender Desk and aligned with its 2025 Gender Work Plan, brought together Directors and Unit Heads to reflect on what it truly means to wear gender lenses not only in policy planning but in everyday work culture, decision-making, and team interaction.

A Culture That Sees Everyone

Officially opening the session, Mr. Dela Kemevor, Director of General Administration, emphasized the importance of cultivating a professional culture where gender sensitivity isn’t a formality, but a value system. “Our ability to deliver inclusive development starts with how we work together as colleagues,” he noted.

Facilitators took participants on an interactive journey through the principles and practice of gender mainstreaming, encouraging honest reflection on biases, workplace dynamics, and how gender impacts communication, leadership, and access to opportunity.

The dialogue was rich. Participants shared stories, challenges, and aspirations — learning that gender inclusion is not only about outcomes but about processes. How we speak to each other. Who gets heard. Who gets supported. Who feels seen.

Why This Matters at Work

At the core of any thriving institution is its people. And when people feel respected and understood regardless of gender, they perform better, lead better, and build stronger teams.

Mainstreaming gender in the workplace fosters an environment of mutual respect and empathy, where individuals feel valued beyond stereotypes or assumptions. It actively reduces unconscious bias and curbs microaggressions, creating space for more honest and respectful interactions among colleagues.

By promoting fairness in task allocation, career progression, and leadership opportunities, it ensures that every staff member has an equal chance to contribute and grow. It also enhances collaboration by drawing from a diversity of perspectives and experiences, leading to more innovative and well-rounded decision-making. Ultimately, such a culture boosts staff morale, strengthens team cohesion, and improves overall productivity and institutional well-being.

It is not about favouring one gender over another, it is about creating a level playing field, where every staff member feels safe, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.

Wearing Gender Lenses in Planning and Practice

In her closing remarks, Madam Priscilla Attipoe, Deputy Director and moderator of the session, urged participants to carry the day’s lessons into both policy and practice. “Let us wear gender lenses when we plan and when we relate. Inclusion is not an event. It is a daily commitment and it begins with us,” she said.

Her message echoed deeply: that the truest form of institutional change starts not in boardrooms but in how we work with the person next to us, whether subordinate, supervisor, or peer.

MLGCRA’s Path Forward

The Ministry’s commitment to gender mainstreaming is not performative. It is strategic. And it is humane. By investing in staff training and embedding gender awareness across departments, MLGCRA is laying the groundwork for long-term, people-centered change.

From district assemblies to headquarters, the goal is clear: build teams that reflect the values we want to see in the country; fairness, dignity, empathy, and shared responsibility.

As Ghana continues to champion inclusive governance and equitable development, it must be mirrored in how institutions operate behind the scenes. And at MLGCRA, that mirroring has begun, one lens, one team, one transformation at a time.

(The writer is a Public Relations Officer with the Ministry of Local Government. Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) and a Staff of the Information Services Department (ISD)

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Stakeholders in Ghana’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper coordination and joint action during a stakeholder engagement meeting held today at the Airport View Hotel in Accra.

Organized under the Government of Ghana–UNICEF WASH Programme, the high-level meeting brought together key representatives from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and local government institutions to strengthen collaboration for more inclusive and sustainable sanitation delivery.

The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), is the first of its kind following the recent transfer of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (EHSD) from the now-defunct Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to the Ministry, through Executive Instrument (EI) 1 of 2025.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, stakeholders were urged to view the transition as a timely opportunity to improve sector alignment and bring WASH interventions closer to communities.

“This transition should rather allow us to better align sanitation programming within decentralised service delivery structures and the traditional governance systems. It would eventually help bring our interventions closer to the people, grounded in local realities and responsive to on-the-ground needs,” the statement noted.

Participants were reminded of the Ministry’s continued commitment to national strategies, such as the Rural Sanitation Model and Strategy, aimed at improving rural access to safely managed sanitation services.

The Chief Director, through his speech, acknowledged the long-standing partnership with UNICEF and the significant progress made under the GoG–UNICEF WASH Programme. Key gains were cited in the areas of behaviour change communication, market-based sanitation, technology development, regulatory improvements, and financing models.

However, the Ministry also noted persistent challenges, especially in ensuring the sustainability of household toilets in rural areas. It emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the supply side of rural sanitation—addressing bottlenecks such as limited access to affordable materials, skilled labour, and resilient technologies.

Another pressing concern raised was the increasing threat posed by climate change to WASH infrastructure and public health.

“Climate change is no longer a future concern; it is a present and escalating challenge. Toilets are being washed away, water sources are diminishing, and public health risks are intensifying,” the Ministry cautioned, calling for climate-proofed WASH systems and integrated adaptation strategies.

During the meeting, a draft WASH coordination framework was presented by the Ministry for stakeholder review. The framework outlines roles and responsibilities of thematic leads, focal persons, and collaborating institutions, and aims to strengthen coherence, accountability, and results delivery across the sector.

In closing, the Ministry challenged all stakeholders to move beyond silos and renew their commitment to a common goal.

“Achieving open defecation-free status and ensuring safely managed sanitation services for all Ghanaians will require more than technical solutions. It demands strong partnerships, shared accountability, and an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion,” the Chief Director’s message stressed.

The meeting concluded with renewed pledges of support and collaboration from development partners, civil society, and local government institutions. Stakeholders commended the Ministry for creating a space for dialogue and pledged to continue working together toward a Ghana where every person lives in dignity through access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient WASH services.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)