Gyeongju, Republic of Korea – September 17, 2025 — Ghana has underscored its commitment to advancing community-led development and decentralisation reforms at the 2nd Global Saemaul Undong Ministerial Meeting in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

The gathering, hosted by the Korea Saemaul Undong Centre under President Gwang-Lim Kim, marked the 55th anniversary of the Saemaul movement and brought together global ministers and development leaders. President Kim highlighted the enduring values of diligence, self-help, and cooperation as universal drivers of sustainable progress.

Leading Ghana’s delegation, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, delivered a national statement emphasising Ghana’s alignment with these principles. He outlined reforms to introduce the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), alongside investments in rural infrastructure and livelihoods through projects such as the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project II and the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project.

The Minister also emphasised accountability and innovation, citing tools like the District Assemblies Common Fund–Responsive Factor Grant (DACF–RFG) and a Digital Development Data Platform, which are enhancing transparency across districts. He stressed that Ghana’s approach, while inspired by Korea, is firmly rooted in its own governance traditions and cultural sustainability.

Hon. Ibrahim reaffirmed Ghana’s strong partnership with the Republic of Korea, referencing recent bilateral discussions on waste management, circular economy practices, and urban resilience. He pledged Ghana’s commitment to deepening cooperation and sharing lessons with other African nations through South–South and Triangular Cooperation.

Ghana’s Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, joined ministers and leaders from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and South Korea at a Welcome Dinner in Seoul on 16th September 2025. The dinner marked the official opening of the 2nd Global Ministerial Saemaul Meeting and the Global Leadership Saemaul Meeting.

Delegates were received with South Korea’s renowned cultural hospitality, setting a warm and collegial tone for the four-day programme. The occasion provided space for informal exchanges, where participants shared experiences and began fostering networks ahead of the formal deliberations.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, who is leading Ghana’s delegation, used the opportunity to connect with counterparts from partner countries and reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to the Saemaul spirit of diligence, self-help, and cooperation.

The Welcome Dinner also reflected the broader purpose of the meetings — building stronger ties among nations while adapting the Saemaul Undong model to today’s development challenges.

The main conference sessions are expected to focus on global cooperation in social assistance and protection systems, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the Saemaul Undong movement, which transformed rural Korea and continues to inspire grassroots-led development worldwide. Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann MLGCRA Public Relations Unit

The two-day National Dialogue on Decentralisation and Responsive Governance has ended in Accra with a strong national call to reset Ghana’s decentralisation framework for responsive local governance and effective service delivery.

Convened by the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCC) with support from key partners, the Dialogue brought together stakeholders including Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Heads of Departments, Civil Society Organisations, development partners, traditional authorities, academia, and the media. The Vice President of the Republic, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, officially inaugurated the Dialogue.

Participants acknowledged that nearly four decades after Ghana embarked on its decentralisation journey, the country stands at a defining moment that demands consolidation and reform. They stressed that decentralisation remains central to deepening democracy, empowering citizens, strengthening accountability, and improving the delivery of essential services.

The Dialogue recognised notable progress since 1988, including improved intergovernmental transfers and enhanced citizen engagement, but identified persistent challenges such as fiscal constraints, capacity gaps, and duplication of administrative roles. It emphasised the need for reforms that ensure coherence, sustainability, and inclusiveness in local governance.

At the end of deliberations, participants adopted several key resolutions — including a call for a new National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy (2026–2030) that secures sustainable financing for local governments, deepens political decentralisation through the election of MMDCEs, strengthens accountability, and institutionalises citizen participation and traditional authority roles in governance. The Dialogue further urged the development of robust monitoring mechanisms to track progress and ensure measurable service delivery outcomes.

In a communiqué signed by the Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafi, participants reaffirmed the collective commitment of government, civil society, traditional leaders, development partners, and citizens to reset Ghana’s decentralisation agenda to meet the of changing needs of communities and achieve inclusive, responsive, and people-centred governance.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

MLGCRA Public Relations Unit