The La Traditional Council is set to resume full operations following a formal engagement with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, marking a new phase of administrative restoration and renewed commitment to traditional leadership within the La Traditional Area.

The decision to reinstate the Council comes after a delegation led by the Acting President, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, called on the Ministry on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting the Council’s operations. The meeting, held at the Ministry in Accra, provided a platform for dialogue on the path forward, following a suspension that had halted the Council’s functions for several months.

The suspension, which took effect in September 2024, followed institutional concerns that necessitated a pause in the Council’s operations. The Ministry, acting in consultation with the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, intervened in the interest of safeguarding traditional governance and ensuring that the right structures were in place to promote accountability, administrative order, and the public good. This period allowed for internal reflection, system strengthening, and engagement on how best to reposition the Council for effective service delivery.

Addressing the delegation, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), urged the Council’s leadership and registrars to work collaboratively and diligently to ensure that all necessary documentation and institutional processes required for reinstatement are completed without delay. He underscored the importance of responsible leadership, stating that the La Traditional Area is endowed with valuable resources that require effective and transparent stewardship for the benefit of present and future generations.

In her remarks, the Deputy Minister, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who received the delegation on behalf of the Minister, expressed optimism about the Council’s return to operational status. As the Deputy Minister responsible for the area, she reiterated her commitment to facilitating resolution of the Council’s longstanding concerns. She noted that some of the issues raised, including land administration, boundary disputes, and governance coordination were already being addressed, and assured the delegation that she would work closely with the Municipal Chief Executive of La Dadekotopon and the Minister to ensure a seamless transition.

For his part, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the opportunity to engage and highlighted the difficulties that had emerged due to the Council’s prolonged closure. According to him, several urgent matters particularly relating to land and community development had been left unattended, creating a vacuum in local governance and decision-making. He emphasized the readiness of the Council to embrace reforms and restore public confidence through accountable leadership and consensus-building.

The reopening of the Council marks a significant step toward the reestablishment of traditional authority and the revitalization of customary administration in the La Traditional Area. As stakeholders work to reconstitute operations, the focus remains on unity, transparency, and a forward-looking approach to governance that honours both tradition and the demands of contemporary local development.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Chantal Aidoo

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Orientation and Training Programme for newly appointed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) has officially closed with a powerful charge delivered by Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who represented the Vice President of the Republic, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, at the ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo delivered a closing address that struck a firm and forward-looking tone, urging the new cohort of MMDCEs to view their appointments not as political rewards, but as solemn mandates for public service and local transformation.

“You have not been chosen for ceremony,” he said. “You have been called to translate national vision into visible local results.”

He congratulated the MMDCEs on behalf of the Vice President and the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, commending them for successfully going through the nomination and confirmation process. He emphasized that their roles are vital to the implementation of the government’s Reset Agenda, and to delivering on the bold policy commitments outlined in the 2024 People’s Manifesto: “Resetting Ghana ; Jobs, Accountability, and Prosperity.”

According to Hon. Ofosu Ampofo, the orientation programme was deliberately structured to go beyond formalities, offering strategic insights into power, governance, influence, and impact. He highlighted that the Vice President considers this moment a key turning point, where theory must give way to ethical, practical, and community-rooted leadership.

Citing the national development priorities, he reiterated the call for MMDCEs to lead the charge in operationalising flagship government programmes such as the 24-Hour Economy, Clean Up Ghana Initiative, Adwumawura, National Apprenticeship Programme, and others, reminding them that these policies are not abstract ideas but tools to bring jobs, accountability, and prosperity to the grassroots.

He acknowledged the structural challenges MMDCEs will face: low internally generated funds (IGFs), weak sub-district structures, sanitation issues, financial infractions, and broader threats such as illegal mining and climate change. However, he stressed that these realities must be met with bold leadership, innovation, and a renewed sense of urgency.

“The challenges are real, but so too is our readiness,” he said. “From today, the celebrations must give way to the work.”

To support this effort, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo, on behalf of the Vice President, announced that government has made historic financial commitments to local development, including an allocation of approximately GHS 25 million per district through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the highest in recent history. He added that new monthly allowances for Assembly Members have also been introduced under Section 16 of the Local Governance Act, aimed at reinforcing community representation and accountability.

“These are not mere handouts. They are statements of intent; deliberate steps to empower you to act,” he affirmed.

He also called on Regional Ministers to apply the provisions of Section 188 of the Local Governance Act to intensify monitoring and evaluation of MMDAs. He stressed that Regional Coordinating Councils must actively support and supervise the performance of district assemblies to ensure efficiency, transparency, and public value.

In alignment with the Vice President’s long-standing advocacy for education, equity, and institutional strengthening, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo announced that the Ministry of Local Government will, in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), roll out targeted capacity-building programmes for MMDCEs to enhance their governance and administrative capabilities on a continuous basis.

He also reminded MMDCEs of their obligation to champion inclusive development. In line with the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), he noted that gender-responsive planning is now a statutory and moral imperative. “Inclusivity is not a choice it is a duty,” he declared.

As he brought the programme to a close, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo expressed confidence, on behalf of the Vice President, that the training had sharpened the MMDCEs' understanding and equipped them to lead with courage, clarity, and competence.

“We look forward to seeing your leadership in action, stronger communities, cleaner environments, fairer systems, and a more prosperous Ghana, built from the ground up,” he said.

With these words, and on behalf of the Vice President of the Republic, he formally declared the 2025 Orientation and Training Programme for MMDCEs closed.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(MLGCRA PR UNIT)

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has called on newly appointed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to embrace their roles with purpose, discipline, and a performance-driven mindset, as Ghana embarks on a bold new phase of local governance under the Reset Agenda of the ninth government of the Fourth Republic.

Delivering his welcome address at the official opening of the two-day Orientation and Training Programme at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra, the Minister expressed deep appreciation to His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama, for his unwavering commitment to decentralisation and for personally gracing the ceremony despite his demanding schedule.

He further extended profound gratitude to the Vice President, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and other distinguished dignitaries including the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Chairman of the Council of State, senior party leadership, and technical experts, for their collective presence, which, he said, speaks volumes of the national importance attached to local leadership.

In acknowledging the processes leading to the confirmation of the new MMDCEs, the Minister noted that approximately 99% of nominees have been duly confirmed, many with overwhelming one-touch endorsements by their assemblies, a clear vote of confidence in their competence and potential. He credited this success to the diligent work of the Vetting Committee, chaired by Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, which ensured the nomination of suitable leaders for local government.

Describing the occasion as historic, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim noted that this is the earliest MMDCE orientation to be organised since the inception of the 1992 Constitution, and that it signifies a deep urgency to hit the ground running. He reminded MMDCEs that the expectations of Ghanaians are exceedingly high following the endorsement of the Reset Agenda in the 2024 elections, and therefore, business-as-usual attitudes must give way to action-oriented leadership.

“Do not be carried away by the titles and perks of the job,” the Minister advised. “Let the celebrations end, and let your real work begin with humility, collaboration, and a deep resolve to serve, not to be served.”

He urged the MMDCEs to become the chief implementers of the President’s vision across all 261 districts of Ghana, translating policy into action, and driving visible, people-centred development in every community. He reminded them that their human relations and capacity to engage meaningfully with citizens will be crucial to their success.

The Minister also elaborated on the theme of the orientation: “Strengthening Local Governance through the Reset Agenda.” He said the theme reflects a strategic commitment to reorient public service delivery, deepen decentralisation, and reassert the values of good governance, responsiveness, and innovation. He encouraged the MMDCEs to avoid becoming “armchair administrators” and instead emulate the President’s example by staying connected with the grassroots.

A key portion of the Minister’s remarks highlighted the unique structure of the Ministry itself, which now brings together Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, three pillars that have long operated independently but are now harmonised to unlock synergy in local governance. He urged the MMDCEs to leverage this ‘tripod’ structure to strengthen accountability, coordination, and inclusive development within their districts.

Touching on the content of the training programme, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim explained that the two-day orientation is not a mere ceremonial formality, but rather a foundational exercise that will equip the MMDCEs with the philosophies, tools, and leadership values required for effective performance. He listed core areas to be covered, including: the development blueprint of the ninth government; the Local Governance Act (Act 936); the 24-Hour Economy and flagship programmes; local security and public accountability; youth empowerment; revenue mobilisation and prudent financial management; and partnerships with traditional, religious and civil society actors.

While acknowledging existing challenges such as weak supervision, staff discipline, and low internally generated funds (IGF) across many MMDAs, the Minister expressed confidence that these can be overcome through renewed energy, innovation, and hands-on leadership. He called for strengthened monitoring and effective performance oversight as tools to drive district transformation.

He ended by charging the MMDCEs to take ownership of flagship programmes such as the 24-Hour Economy Markets, the Clean-Up Ghana Initiative, Blue Water Guards, Adwumawura Programme, and the National Poultry Development Programme. He pledged the continued support of the Ministry, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), and Regional Coordinating Councils in providing technical guidance, capacity development, and performance support.

“Together, let us build stronger communities and a better Ghana for all,” the Minister declared, warmly welcoming the MMDCEs into their new leadership journey.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)