The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD)has welcomed a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini on Monday, September 16, 2024, as part of a knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at deepening Eswatini’s understanding of local governance and decentralisation.

The nine-member delegation, comprising two ministers of state and key officials, embarked on this benchmark study visit to explore Ghana’s dynamic local government system, recognized for its structured and comprehensive approach.

The visit comes at a time when the Kingdom of Eswatini is seeking to enhance its local governance framework by learning from best practices across Africa. Ghana, lauded for its progressive and effective decentralisation model, presents a viable case for Eswatini, which is keen to replicate aspects of Ghana’s system that align with its national development objectives.

During the engagement, MLGDRD officials delivered a detailed presentation on Ghana’s local governance structure, followed by an in-depth discussion on the system's implementation across various levels of government. The presentation emphasized the critical roles played by district assemblies, participatory governance, and the strategic decentralisation of public service delivery in fostering national development.

The Chief Director of MLGDRD, Mr.  Amin Abdul-Rahaman, who chaired the meeting, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Eswatini in its decentralisation efforts. He assured the delegation of Ghana’s readiness to offer guidance throughout their journey toward establishing a more robust and inclusive local government system.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the leader, Hon. Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, underscored the significance of the visit, describing it as a pivotal step in Eswatini’s quest to strengthen its local governance. He expressed admiration for Ghana’s achievements and noted that the lessons learned would be instrumental in shaping Eswatini’s approach to governance at the grassroots level.

The study visit underscores the importance of peer learning and collaboration between African nations as they work to enhance governance and promote sustainable development across the continent.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Strategic and practical ideas to deepen decentralisation and local governance in Ghana were the focus of discussions at the maiden International Conference on Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Sustainable Development. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), the two-day event provided a platform for key stakeholders to exchange insights and explore pathways to foster inclusive, democratic governance for sustainable development.

The conference, held from September 11-12, 2024, at the ILGS, brought together a diverse group of participants, including researchers, academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students from across the globe. The theme of the event, “Deepening Decentralisation and Local Governance to Foster Inclusive and Democratic Governance for Sustainable Development,” framed discussions around strengthening local governance structures to meet the demands of inclusive development and democratic principles.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, underscored the importance of building capacity within local government institutions. He stressed that the success of Ghana's decentralisation efforts hinges on the competence of local government officials and employees, pledging the Ministry's commitment to ongoing capacity-building initiatives. He referenced the recently launched Local Economic Development Policy (2024-2029), along with its Implementation Plan and accompanying Practitioners’ Manual, as a key step towards empowering local economies and promoting sustainable development.

"The goal of the new policy," the Minister stated, "is to create a conducive environment at the district level for local business growth, decent employment opportunities, and economic empowerment for all Ghanaians. This will drive the broader agenda of decentralisation and sustainable local governance."

The conference featured a series of plenary and parallel sessions, with participants delving into a range of pertinent themes, including Building Local Economies for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity, Governance Dynamics for Balancing Authority and Efficiency, Decentralisation, Inclusive Governance and Development, and Building Sustainable and Healthy Communities for a Resilient Future. These discussions aimed to equip stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of local governance.

Attendees included representatives from MLGDRD, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the ILGS, and partner institutions such as the University of Ghana, GIMPA, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Education, Winneba. International organisations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as well as participants from countries including the USA, Burkina Faso, India, Palestine, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, also contributed to the dialogue.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity for cross-border learning and collaboration, furthering the global commitment to decentralisation as a means to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

SOURCE:  Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, has assured Ghanaians that the newly launched Local Economic Development (LED) Policy and Implementation Plan (2024-2029) will create thousands of jobs and empower communities across the country.

Speaking at the launch at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the policy marks a turning point in Ghana’s economic development, laying the foundation for inclusive growth and sustainable local economies.

“The LED Policy is a roadmap for empowering our local economies by utilizing the resources we have in every corner of the country. We will create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, provide decent employment opportunities, and ensure that no one is left behind,” said Hon. Korsah.

The policy aims to strengthen the role of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as engines of growth. It is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all, and with Agenda 2063, the African Union’s blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Key actions under the LED Policy include enhancing local entrepreneurship and SME growth by providing technical and financial support, boosting agricultural productivity, and modernizing industrial zones.

It will also engender Job creation initiatives aimed at generating employment through key projects such as the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP) and the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, which have already created tens of thousands of jobs through infrastructure and livelihood support programmes​

The policy and its implementation will empower local communities with skills training, access to financial services, and support for micro-enterprises, ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable groups benefit directly from economic opportunities as well as bring about Infrastructure development, including upgrading urban markets and establishing local economic hubs to stimulate private investment.

The Ministry also unveiled the revised LED Practitioners’ Manual, a comprehensive guide for MMDAs to effectively implement LED initiatives, ensuring accountability and measurable impact.

“This policy is not just a document, it’s a call to action. We are determined to reduce poverty, improve incomes, and create jobs that will transform the lives of Ghanaians,” Hon. Korsah emphasized, urging MMDAs and all stakeholders to embrace this opportunity for meaningful change​.

With the implementation of the LED Policy, Ghana is set to witness a new wave of local economic empowerment, increased employment, and the rise of resilient, self-sustaining communities across the nation.