On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, addressed the Decentralisation Sector Working Group (DSWG) meeting. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministers for Justice and Attorney General, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and development partners, to discuss the Government's decentralisation agenda.

In his speech, Hon. Ibrahim reiterated the Government’s commitment to decentralisation, emphasizing the need for a non-partisan approach to local governance. He stressed that the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) should be done on a non-partisan basis, reflecting the Government's focus on deepening democracy at the local level.

"The Government’s Reset Agenda prioritises decentralisation. The overwhelming support we received in the 2024 elections clearly shows that Ghanaians are ready for this change," Hon. Ibrahim said.

The Minister also addressed the constitutional amendments proposed by the previous Government, including changes to Article 55(3) to allow political party participation in local elections and to Article 243(1), which grants the President the power to appoint MMDCEs. Hon. Ibrahim expressed the Government’s belief that such changes are necessary to strengthen local governance, pointing out that the current system is seen as undemocratic.

"We want to ensure that the local government system reflects the true will of the people, free from political party influence," he stated.

Looking ahead, Hon. Ibrahim outlined several key priorities for the Ministry, including increasing the share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) from 5% to 7.5% of national revenue, finalising the Local Government Borrowing Act, and launching initiatives such as the “Clean Up Ghana” project.

Other priorities highlighted by the Minister include finalising the National Decentralisation Policy (2025-2029), the National Rural Development Policy (2025-2034), and the National Urban Policy (2025-2034). Hon. Ibrahim also stressed the importance of capacity building for traditional authorities and religious leaders, as well as strengthening sub-district structures.

The Minister concluded by calling for continued collaboration with development partners to ensure the success of these reforms, stating, “Together, we can reflect, reset, and strengthen the decentralisation agenda for the benefit of all Ghanaians.”

The meeting marked a key step in Ghana's ongoing decentralisation efforts, with all parties expressing their commitment to advancing reforms that improve local governance across the country.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG) has called on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to engage in discussions centered on the role of education in the country’s development. A significant portion of the conversation focused on challenges within the Islamic education system that the NMCG believes needed urgent attention.

The delegation from the NMCG expressed concerns over bottlenecks and limitations facing Islamic schools, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to ensure equal access to quality education for all children, regardless of background. The group called on the Minister to lend support to initiatives aimed at enhancing Islamic education, including upgrading infrastructure, improving curricula, and providing better resources for Muslim schools across the country.

Hon. Ahmed acknowledged the concerns raised by the NMCG and affirmed his commitment to collaborating with the Muslim community to address these challenges. He underscored the government’s role in ensuring inclusive education and reiterated the significance of strengthening educational opportunities at the basic level. The Minister emphasized that improving education, particularly within Islamic institutions, would play a crucial role in tackling broader national issues such as child labor and the prevalence of "kayaye" (head porterage).

In his response, the Minister also highlighted the importance of fostering unity among the Muslim community, noting that a unified front would enable them to work more effectively with the government and contribute to shaping national policies. He welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the NMCG, assuring them that their concerns would be taken into consideration in the government's future educational initiatives.

The NMCG delegation expressed their desire for closer collaboration with the ministry, emphasizing that by working together, they could make significant strides toward improving education within the Muslim community and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/ Melody Hini-Amoako

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

On 19th March 2025, officials from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) paid a courtesy call on Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), to discuss strengthening their collaboration for the effective execution of government policies. The meeting focused on ways to improve cooperation between the two institutions to ensure that resources from the central government are efficiently directed to local communities, promoting social and economic accountability for sustainable development.

During the meeting, Hon. Ibrahim emphasized the critical role of the NCCE in supporting democratic governance. He highlighted that public education is essential for the success of government programs, particularly those related to community development and infrastructure. However, he stressed that these initiatives must be adequately supported with resources to ensure their effectiveness.

The Minister also underlined the importance of clearly defining the roles of both institutions to ensure smooth and effective collaboration. By understanding where their responsibilities overlap and where they differ, the NCCE and MLGCRA can streamline their efforts and work together toward common goals.

Hon. Ibrahim further pointed out that ongoing communication and cooperation between the Ministry and the NCCE are vital for fostering transparency and building trust. Both parties agreed that public engagement, through well-coordinated public education efforts, is crucial for the success of government programs and for promoting accountability within the community.

Both institutions expressed their commitment to strengthening their partnership, with a focus on advancing public education and upholding the nation’s core cultural, moral, and religious values. With the right resources and continued collaboration, the NCCE and MLGCRA aim to create a more informed and engaged society, ensuring the successful implementation of government policies and contributing to long-term national progress.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/Melody Hini, Amoako

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)