The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has called on women to rise as agents of change, urging them to embrace mentorship, community service, and advocacy as tools for transformation.

Addressing the Seventh-Day Adventist Church National Women’s Ministries Prayer Conference at the University of Ghana, Legon, Hon. Sowah stressed the need for women to seek spiritual renewal and allow God to pour his love, wisdom and strength on them, to serve their church, home and community with impact and authority.

She was making reference to the Theme for the National Prayer Conference; ‘Fill my Cup Lord: Set free and send. She underscored the importance of women’s roles in families, workplaces, and communities, noting that true empowerment comes from balancing care for others with self-renewal and urged the women gathered to break the chains of oppression, defend justice, and be fearless voices for the voiceless.

Turning her attention to national issues, Hon. Sowah re-echoed government’s National Sanitation Day initiative, which takes place on the first Saturday of every month, appealing to women of faith to actively participate in clean-up exercises, citing sanitation as one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges.

“Our sanitation situation is quite serious. We still practice open defecation in some areas, have poorly maintained toilets, and poor solid waste management, and these practices pollute our water sources, contaminate our air, and cause diseases. We must act” she emphasized.

Hon. Sowah reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnering with faith-based organisations like the SDA Church to drive social and moral transformation and charged participants to of the National Women Prayer Conference to remain resolute, hopeful, and purpose driven.

The conference is an annual event, hosted by the Southern Ghana Union Conference of the SDA Church. This year’s event, brought together hundreds of women leaders, church officials, and community members united in prayer and advocacy for spiritual renewal and national development.

Israel’s Ambassador to Ghana, His Ex. Roey Gilad commended the Women’s Ministry of the Adventist Church for their role in supporting the vulnerable and called for prayers for to help end the Gaza war.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, as part of its mandate, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities to strengthen governance, preserve culture, and advance community development.

During a meeting with the leadership of the Council of Wulɔmei, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim indicated that as their mother Ministry, it was prudent for the Ministry to ensure their role in the preservation of cultural governance is noy underrated. The meeting was held to deliberate on key issues affecting the Council and their communities.

Hon. Ibrahim commended the Wulɔmei for their initiative in formally engaging the Ministry, noting their invaluable role in promoting peace, unity, and social cohesion. He emphasised that the guidance and influence of traditional and religious leaders remain vital to effective governance and the sustenance of Ghana’s cultural heritage.

The Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the Council, including the request for a dedicated Secretariat to facilitate their operations, proposals for a review of legislation on stool lands administration, and initiatives aimed at promoting youth development. He assured the Council that these matters, being of national importance, would be addressed constructively through collaborative dialogue.

“Government remains committed to working hand in hand with Traditional Authorities and stakeholder groups such as the Wulɔmei to strengthen collaboration, enhance cultural preservation, and advance development at both the local and national levels,” Hon. Ibrahim stated.

He expressed optimism that the engagement would yield actionable steps to address the concerns of the Ga Dangme Council while reinforcing the Ministry’s mandate of ensuring effective local governance, promoting chieftaincy, and safeguarding religious harmony.

In their submission, the leader of the Council of  Wulɔmei , Nuumo Blafo Akotia Omaitu III formally thanked the Ministry for granting them audience, stating the council though has been in existence for along time and work hand-in-hand with chiefs and king makers, it has been difficult for them to keep up in society us they do not have a physical office.

They informed the ministry that they have located an abandoned building which they would plead with government to allow them to occupy as their office, while expressing worry on their exclusion in national event. Nuumo Omaitu III expressed their appreciation for the swift response of the Ministry.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has commended Water and Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP) Ghana for its impactful interventions in enhancing urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in the country.

Speaking during a courtesy call by WSUP Ghana’s leadership, Hon. Ibrahim observed that the organisation’s reputation as a global leader in innovative WASH solutions, operating in six countries including Ghana since its establishment in 2010, WSUP has worked closely with government and district assemblies to expand access to safe water and sanitation, particularly for low-income urban communities.

The Minister acknowledged WSUP’s contributions to Ghana’s sanitation landscape, citing the construction of household toilets in Kumasi and Ga West, which has helped curb open defecation, rehabilitation of the Kumasi liquid waste treatment plant, provision of WASH facilities in schools, noting that these interventions have enhanced access, accountability and sustainability of sanitation services.

Touching on the policy front, Hon. Ibrahim praised WSUP’s pioneering efforts in promoting “Smart Enforcement” for sanitation compliance, supporting the gazetting of sanitation by-laws, and advocating for dedicated funding mechanisms, stressing that these align with government’s vision of strengthening local governance for effective sanitation service delivery.

He assured them of the Ministry’s commitment to deepening partnerships with WSUP to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and encouraged them to continue collaborations with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to scale up successful models across the country.

The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining the partnership, stressing on the need to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable sanitation and hygiene systems that ensure the dignity and wellbeing of all Ghanaians, especially the vulnerable.

In his submission, the Country Manager for WSUP, Mr. Frank Ketty said the organization is a non-profit organization that works to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene and partner with local governments and organisations to build infrastructure, strengthen utilities and support local entrepreneurs.

He outlined some of the projects they undertake and hinted that WSUP will on 16^th September 2025 launch the Ghana Business Plan 2025-2030 and used the occasion to invite the Ministry to support them and show up for the event.

Source: Chantal Aidoo.

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA