Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and government officials gathered in Bolgatanga on Monday, 15th December 2025, to strengthen efforts in ending gender-based violence, including child marriage. The meeting, a collaboration between the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), brought together religious leaders from various denominations across the Upper East Region to discuss strategies and partnerships to create safer communities.

The event formed part of activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, aiming to intensify advocacy and action against all forms of violence, particularly those affecting women and girls. The Ministry noted that FBOs play a crucial role in shaping values and influencing social norms, making their involvement critical in the national response to gender-based violence.

During the engagement, participants discussed strategies to enhance their collective efforts to end child marriage, a practice that continues to threaten the wellbeing, safety, and future of many young girls. The discussions highlighted the need for sustained community advocacy, early reporting of cases, and continued education on the rights of women and children.

Resource persons presented key support systems and tools available to faith-based institutions to assist survivors of abuse, including referral pathways, guidance on psychosocial support, and avenues for collaboration with state and non-state actors working in the GBV response space. Participants were urged to leverage these resources to provide timely and appropriate assistance to vulnerable groups within their communities.

Naba Salifu Baba Alemyaruum, Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of investing in the girl child, saying, "The girl child is the heartbeat of our communities and part of our cultural heritage. Let's invest in her education, health, and empowerment to secure a brighter future for all."

A speech read on behalf of the Chief Director of the MLGCRA, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, emphasized the importance of collective action against GBV and child marriage. He acknowledged the unique influence of faith leaders in shaping values and inspiring change, and expressed gratitude to the UNFPA for its partnership.

The meeting concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to working together to build safer communities and sustain momentum in the fight against gender-based violence.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

MLGCRA Public Relations Unit

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been directed to step up sanitation enforcement as government intensifies supervision under the National Sanitation Day initiative, with a renewed focus on accountability, consistency and service delivery at the local level.

The directive followed an unannounced sanitation inspection exercise conducted on Saturday, 13th December 2025, across selected assemblies in the Greater Accra Region, led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, in line with the Ministry’s oversight responsibility over local government administration.

The exercise, which took the Minister and his team through Ayawaso East and West, Ayawaso West Wuogon, La Nkwatanang, Madina and the Adenta Municipal Assembly, formed part of activities marking the observance of the National Sanitation Day declared by President John Dramani Mahama and being implemented nationwide by the Ministry.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim explained that the Ministry has deliberately moved away from pre-announced inspections, which often result in temporary clean-ups that do not reflect everyday sanitation conditions. He said the new approach is intended to ensure that MMDAs remain consistently alert and proactive in the discharge of their sanitation mandate.

According to the Minister, sanitation is a core responsibility of the assemblies, and leadership at the local level must translate into visible cleanliness, order and public health outcomes. He cautioned that any MMDCE found absent during such unannounced visits would be considered not to be on top of the job.

As part of immediate measures under the National Sanitation Day framework, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim announced the full deployment of borla taxis, functional sweepers and sanitation trucks. He further revealed that the Christmas sanitation clean-up, introduced as a special holiday edition, will now be carried out weekly ahead of the Christmas festivities to ensure sustained cleanliness across cities and communities.

The Minister also announced plans to deepen inter-ministerial collaboration by bringing on board the Ministries of Interior, Tourism, Transport and Health, to support the nationwide sanitation effort.

He underscored the role of the media as a critical accountability partner and noted that government must be intentional and deliberate in enforcing sanitation standards, in line with the reset agenda of President John Dramani Mahama.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Dzifa Gomashie, who joined the exercise, stressed that sanitation directly affects Ghana’s image and tourism potential.

“We cannot promote a dirty country. We can only promote a country that is clean,” she said, explaining that what visitors encounter first is not hospitality or culture, but the state of the streets.

She described the collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs as essential, noting that the work of MMDAs reflects directly on the tourism sector and the country’s global reputation. She emphasized that sanitation is a shared responsibility that requires the collective effort of ministries, assemblies and citizens.

Appealing to the public, Hon. Gomashie urged Ghanaians to take daily responsibility for their surroundings, calling on traders and roadside sellers to keep their spaces clean and allow access for pedestrians to ease congestion and improve urban life.

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, also reinforced the call, urging MMDAs, market women and traders to uphold cleanliness as part of the ongoing observance of the National Sanitation Day.

She noted that clean markets and streets attract visitors, boost patronage and contribute to economic growth.

The Ministry reiterated that sanitation is a collective national duty and called on all assemblies and citizens to work together to keep Ghana clean, healthy and ready for the festive season.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

MLGCRA PR Unit

The Dean of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Greater Accra Region, Hon. Desmond Sowah Laryae has affirmed the collective commitment of the Assemblies to deliver on the national sanitation agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the MMDCEs during a strategic meeting on Thursday, 11^th December 2025 ahead of the National Sanitation Week scheduled for 13th–20th December 2025, the Dean acknowledged the renewed momentum within the local government structure, driven by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim.

He noted that the Minister’s punctuality, hands-on engagement, and disciplined approach to duty have set a standard that leaves the MMDCEs, and Coordinating Directors with no excuses when it comes to delivering results.

He commended the Ministry for the leadership role and pledged the commitment of all MMDCEs to work extensively to building upon the gains of previous administrations and raising the bar even higher and make the good people of Ghana, the President and the Hon. Minister proud.

Hon. Laryae stressed on the critical importance of sanitation to Ghana’s national image, especially in relation to tourism and international perception, stating that with thousands of visitors expected in the country this Christmas, the standards upheld by the Assemblies in the coming weeks will determine how the nation will be viewed so failure is not an option.

The Dean assured the Minister that the Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region will work closely with the Ministry to ensure visible, impactful and lasting improvements in environmental sanitation by intensifying cleanup efforts, strengthen supervision and mobilize the communities.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA