On March 12, 2025, Honorable Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, appeared on Okay FM's morning show "Ade Akye Abia," hosted by Kwame Nkrumah Tikese. The discussion centered on the recent budget reading, with a significant focus on the remuneration of Assembly Members.​

During the interview, Minister Ibrahim announced that under the new NDC government, Assembly Members would start receiving salaries. He emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader "bottom-up approach" aimed at strengthening local governance and ensuring that grassroots leaders are adequately compensated for their contributions to community development.​

The Minister elaborated on the government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of local government officials, stating that the budget has allocated funds specifically for this purpose. He highlighted that recognizing the efforts of Assembly Members through proper remuneration is essential for effective local governance and the overall development of communities.​

The initiative is expected to motivate Assembly Members, leading to more dedicated service and better implementation of community projects.​

This development underscores the government's dedication to reinforcing the foundations of local governance and ensuring that those who serve at the grassroots level are valued and supported.​

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Government of Ghana (GoG) has outlined a series of strategic interventions aimed at strengthening local governance, chieftaincy, and religious affairs, as captured in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament by Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on March 11, 2025.

As part of efforts to enhance academic and institutional capacity, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, through the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), has introduced eight new academic programs, including seven MSc and one BSc degree. Additionally, two 80-bed executive hostels, a conference center, and a laboratory have been completed at the Accra and Tamale campuses.

The Ministry will also roll out training and orientation programs for newly appointed Chief Executives and Assembly Members to strengthen local governance structures. Plans are underway to establish the Royal Academy of Chiefs and Traditional Authorities (RACTA) to build the capacity of chiefs, queen mothers, and judicial committees on contemporary governance and development. The government will also relay and promulgate the University of Local Governance and Development Bill, 2024, to secure a Presidential Charter for its establishment.

Under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, the Ministry will disburse GH¢315 million to six Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and 48 MMDAs for development projects. The initiative will see the completion of 618 social and economic infrastructure projects, 60 markets, and financial support for 1,500 producer groups comprising 45,000 individuals. Additionally, 96 youth engagement and social cohesion activities will be executed to promote stability in the affected regions.

In a move to empower assembly members, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to paying modest allowances to strengthen their capacity in monitoring development projects within their electoral areas. The Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP) has already disbursed GH¢53.87 million as startup grants to 21,547 beneficiaries under its Productive Inclusion (PI) component, with another GH¢125.22 million paid as wages to 46,324 beneficiaries under the Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) program. In 2025, the initiative will expand to provide training and grants for 60,000 new beneficiaries, while 95,000 others will benefit from Small Earth Dams, Climate Mitigation Plantations, and Feeder Roads under GPSNP2.

The Greater Accra Resilience and Development (GARID) Project, focused on flood risk and solid waste management, has already disbursed GH¢8.25 million to 17 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs). The Ministry will also implement community-based waste management projects and complete the construction of a Waste Transfer Station at GAEC, alongside condominial sewers and wastewater treatment facilities under the Greater Accra Sustainable Sanitation and Livelihoods Improvement Project. Additionally, the National Sanitation Day will be reintroduced as part of efforts to improve public hygiene and environmental sustainability.

To support social protection and child welfare, the government has allocated GH₵5.12 million to Integrated Social Services (ISS) programs, covering social and child protection activities in 200 MMDAs, with an additional 20 MMDAs set to be enrolled in 2025. The Births and Deaths Registry also recorded 560,160 births and 49,589 deaths in 2024 and aims to register 693,852 births and 78,909 deaths in 2025 while building the capacity of regional registrars in statistical planning and strategy development.

The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) will embark on 20 public sensitization campaigns, finalize the National Zoning Regulations and Planning Standards, and complete a manual for spatial plan preparation. In the chieftaincy sector, the Ministry will inaugurate 15 traditional councils, continue the construction of office complexes for the Houses of Chiefs in the six newly created regions, and train traditional authorities on judicial processes, adjudication, and gender-based issues. Additionally, the Ministry will continue conflict resolution efforts and organize a National Prayer Day.

Infrastructure development remains a priority, with the Ministry continuing ongoing projects under the Coastal, Middle, and Northern Belt Development Authorities, as well as the Zongo Development Fund, all under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).

The budget reflects the government’s broad commitment to strengthening local governance, empowering assembly members, improving chieftaincy institutions, and fostering social cohesion through religious and cultural engagements. Stakeholders are optimistic but emphasize the need for efficient implementation and timely disbursement of funds to ensure real impact at the grassroots level.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, has emphasized that decentralisation is the cornerstone of Ghana’s governance and development agenda. He reiterated that empowering local authorities with the necessary resources and autonomy is crucial for sustainable national progress.

Speaking during a courtesy call by Madam Simone Giger, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana, Mr. Ibrahim highlighted that decentralisation strengthens governance, promotes accountability, and enhances local development. He noted that while Ghana has made significant progress since the introduction of decentralisation reforms in the late 1980s, continuous efforts are needed to address challenges, particularly in resource allocation and institutional capacity building.

Madam Giger commended Ghana’s strides in decentralisation, noting that transferring power and decision-making authority from the central government to local governments and communities is essential for sustainable development. She underscored Switzerland’s longstanding support for Ghana’s decentralisation agenda and reaffirmed the Swiss government’s commitment to deepening technical and financial assistance in this area.

“If Ghana continues to demonstrate its dedication to empowering local governments with greater autonomy and authority, we will be delighted to intensify our support,” she stated.

She also acknowledged the critical role of the Constitutional Review Committee in advancing governance reforms, expressing optimism that ongoing constitutional reviews would enhance local governance structures and improve collaboration between central and local authorities.

“Switzerland is excited to be part of this journey, and we are committed to supporting the Constitutional Review Committee’s work to ensure that decentralisation reforms yield the desired impact,” she added.

The Ambassador further highlighted the importance of transparency in managing decentralisation funds. She assured the Minister that the Swiss Embassy would continue to monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to ensure that resources directly benefit municipalities and metropolises.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim lauded Switzerland’s contributions towards strengthening Ghana’s decentralisation process, stating that the government remains steadfast in addressing the challenges associated with local governance. He acknowledged that while Ghana has made significant progress, there is still room for improvement, particularly in financial resource allocation and institutional capacity building.

To reinforce Ghana’s commitment to local governance, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim announced that the government has pledged to allocate approximately 80 per cent of the DACF directly to district assemblies. This, he stated, would ensure a more effective and equitable distribution of resources to support local development initiatives.

“Clearly, if we are able to walk the talk, Ghana will be a different place altogether,” the Minister affirmed.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/Stephanie Edem Klustey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)