In a landmark visit that celebrates the power of tradition and the enduring strength of cultural diplomacy, Ghana has warmly welcomed His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini on a four-day official tour of the country.

The visit began on Tuesday, 24th June, 2025, with a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, at the Jubilee House. The King’s visit, according to government officials, marks a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, rooted not only in diplomacy but also in shared heritage and traditional governance systems.

Leading the King’s visit on behalf of the Government, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), accompanied His Majesty to the historic Manhyia Palace and the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi. The gesture, he noted, was symbolic, uniting two nations with strong monarchic traditions and cultural pride.

Speaking at the National House of Chiefs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to protecting and modernizing the institution of Chieftaincy. He described the King’s visit as a milestone that would further enrich the long-standing cultural bonds between Ghana and Eswatini.

“Our Chieftaincy institution is a living symbol of our national identity and community values. It is enshrined in our Constitution and forms the backbone of local governance and customary law in our country,” the Minister said.

He highlighted Ghana’s recent efforts to strengthen the Chieftaincy sector, including the digitization of the National Register of Chiefs and the ongoing review of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), to improve traditional dispute resolution, accountability, and integration with Ghana’s decentralised governance framework.

He also acknowledged Eswatini’s enduring monarchy and strong cultural systems, commending the country for holding firmly to its traditions while navigating the demands of the modern era.

“We believe there is much our two countries can learn from one another,” he stated. “From the way we manage land, settle disputes, to how we uphold the dignity of our customs, we are united by the values of respect, continuity, and leadership.”

The event at the National House of Chiefs brought together traditional rulers from across Ghana, Ministers of State, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests. It served as a platform for mutual learning, cultural exchange, and deeper dialogue between the two countries’ traditional institutions.

King Mswati III, who is well known for his strong leadership in preserving the monarchy and cultural identity of Eswatini, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and lauded Ghana’s efforts in sustaining its chieftaincy traditions within a democratic framework.

The four-day visit is expected to pave the way for more collaborative exchanges between the two countries, particularly in the areas of cultural heritage preservation, traditional governance, and national development.

As Ghana and Eswatini reaffirm their historical bonds, this visit is being hailed as a celebration of Africa’s proud legacy of kingship and a call to preserve its wisdom in an ever-changing world.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Chantal Aidoo

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

The Paramount Queenmother of the Mampong Traditional Area, Nana Agyakoma Difie II, has led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to express the profound appreciation of the Mampong Traditional Council for the Ministry’s support during the one-week observation and final funeral rites of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene and former Member of the Council of State.

The visit, which took place at the Ministry on Tuesday, 24^th June, 2025, was a symbolic gesture of gratitude to the Minister and his team for standing in solidarity with the people of Mampong during their period of mourning. Nana Agyakoma Difie II, speaking on behalf of the delegation, emphasized that the presence and contributions of the Ministry brought honour and comfort to the bereaved traditional area.

She recalled that prior to the funeral rites, she had officially called on the Minister to inform him of the passing of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II. In response, the Minister had assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support, in recognition of the late Chief’s service to national development and the chieftaincy institution.

“True to his word, the Honourable Minister extended immense support to us, both in representation and in resources, which we do not take for granted,” the Mampong Hemaa stated.

On his part, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, reiterated the government’s respect for traditional authorities and its commitment to strengthening the institution of chieftaincy. He described the late Mamponghene as a statesman of high repute whose wisdom and leadership left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s governance and traditional landscape.

The meeting concluded with assurances of continued collaboration between the Ministry and the Mampong Traditional Area in advancing the role of traditional leadership in national development.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

A cross-sector technical meeting has been convened in Accra to take stock of Ghana’s progress in delivering on its climate action commitments under the second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 2.0). These commitments reflect Ghana’s pledge, as part of the global Paris Agreement, to combat climate change through both emission reduction (mitigation) and improved resilience to climate impacts (adaptation).

Organised by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the session brought together key technical officers and representatives from various sectors, including waste management, water, health, infrastructure, and local governance. Their task was to evaluate what has been achieved since the country submitted its NDC 2.0 and to help shape the direction for the next round of climate actions.

Discussions centered on how well-planned interventions have been rolled out, particularly in vulnerable sectors. Special emphasis was placed on environmental health and sanitation areas directly linked to both the causes and effects of climate change. Stakeholders identified a need to ramp up community-level actions such as sustainable waste disposal, climate-informed planning, and public awareness campaigns that address health and environmental risks simultaneously.

The meeting also highlighted the broader co-benefits of climate action, including job creation, protection of public health, and building more resilient cities. Participants stressed that for progress to be sustained, strong collaboration between local and central government institutions is essential, especially in aligning policy priorities and implementing practical solutions at the grassroots level.

Equally, the importance of robust data systems, financing frameworks, and institutional coordination was underscored as critical enablers for tracking progress and scaling impact.

Findings from the session will feed into Ghana’s national climate reporting and support the development of its next NDC, helping to ensure transparency, policy coherence, and continued momentum toward a climate-smart future.

This technical review is part of Ghana’s ongoing commitment to global climate accountability and national development that leaves no one behind.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)