The Omanhene of Akuapem Mampong, Osabarima Kwame Otu Dartey III, has appealed to government through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to support efforts aimed at reviving cocoa cultivation in the area, describing it as a vital source of livelihood that once sustained many families within the traditional area.

He made the appeal at this year’s Ohum Festival celebration, held on Saturday, 18th October 2025 on the theme; 'Ensuring Sustainable Use of Our Natural Resources: The Role of Traditional Leaders.'

According to Osabarima Dartey III, cocoa farming used to be the mainstay of the Mampong community, providing employment and economic stability for the youth and elderly alike. He, however, lamented that many cocoa farms have been abandoned over the years, leaving the once vibrant sector in decline.

He expressed the worry that Akuapem Mampong cocoa farms were wasting away, yet this could have been a source of job creation for the youth if given the necessary support and called on government and relevant agencies to help restore this important economic activity.

Touching on the theme, the Omanhene urged traditional leaders across the country to be ambassadors in the fight against illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies and agricultural lands. He noted that while this was not prevalent in Akuapem, its ripple effects on water and food security in other regions had nationwide implications.

He warned that if the situation persists, the country may one day have to import water, adding that chemicals used in illegal mining also contaminate farm produce, posing health risks to communities.

On sanitation, Osabarima Dartey III emphasized that cleanliness should begin at home, urging residents to take personal responsibility for maintaining hygienic surroundings instead of waiting for government to clean the dirt they create, stressing that this was a civic duty.

This year’s Ohum Festival is aimed at raising funds towards the construction of a new palace for the traditional area envisioned as a hub for cultural education and a forum where young people can learn about their history and traditions.

The event brought together chiefs, queenmothers, and community members from across Akuapem to celebrate their heritage.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah has called on traditional leaders to take a firm stand against illegal mining and other environmentally destructive practices, warning that the continued degradation of Ghana’s natural resources threatens the nation’s sustainable future.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister at the 2025 Ohum Festival of the Akuapem Mampong’s, in the Easter Region on Saturday, 20^th October 2025, she said the menace of illegal mining continues to undermine government’s investment in national development and environmental conservation.

The Deputy Minister observed that, Ghana is blessed with fertile lands, forests, minerals, and water bodies. Yet these resources are under increasing pressure from illegal mining, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable farming practices and cautioned that if traditional leaders do not act decisively and collectively, the land that fed our ancestors will not be able to feed the younger generations.

she emphasized that traditional leaders remain the original custodians of Ghana’s lands, forests, and rivers, and therefore have a moral and cultural duty to lead community efforts to protect the environment.

According to Hon. Sowah, Chiefs can play a critical role by enforcing community by-laws, discouraging illegal mining and sand winning, and promoting reforestation and environmental education among their subjects.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepen collaboration with the chieftaincy institution, noting that the Ministry continues to integrate traditional authorities into local governance structures to enhance participatory and sustainable development.

She used the platform to inform the traditional leaders and the people of Akuapem Mampong series of development projects launched by President John Dramani Mahama, such as infrastructure expansion, sanitation improvement, and local economic empowerment initiatives programs which, he said, can only yield their full benefits if Ghana’s natural environment is preserved.

She further noted that the projects were designed to uplift the communities, but they will lose their impact if the lands and rivers that sustain the people are destroyed. The fight against illegal mining must therefore be seen as a shared national responsibility.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with the Africa Sustainable Cities Initiative (ASCI), has met with stakeholders to validate the national draft fee fixing guidelines for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for the period of 2026-2029.

The national validation workshop forms part of efforts to strengthen fiscal decentralisation, promote transparency, and enhance local revenue mobilisation across all MMDAs.

 Fee-Fixing Guidelines serve as a key policy instrument that guides MMDAs in determining rates, fees, levies, and licenses in line with Sections 137, 141, 145, and 150 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). It ensures that Assemblies operate within a standardized framework when setting fees and charges for business operating permits and other services, for private and local businesses in their localities, thereby preventing arbitrary pricing and promoting fairness within local jurisdictions.

Before the National validation workshop, the Ministry organised a zonal regional consultative workshop on the 25^th  September to 29^th September 2025 in Tamale, Techiman, and Sekondi-Takoradi, which brought together officers from Regional Coordinating Councils, MMDAs, traditional authorities, business associations, trade groups, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, and development partners. This provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the adequacy of the current guidelines (2022–2025), share experiences, and recommend improvements for the next phase.

Speaking at the National Validation Workshop on Friday, 17th October,  2025 at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in  Accra, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP) in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Alhaji Amin Abdul-Rahaman, underscored the importance of the Fee-Fixing Guidelines in promoting effective local governance and fiscal responsibility.

According to him, the review is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen Ghana’s local governance and fiscal decentralization system, adding that the new framework will enhance Internally Generated Fund (IGF) mobilisation, equity, and transparency, while fostering a more enabling business environment.

The Minister noted that while the 2022–2025 guidelines served its purpose, some Assemblies encountered difficulties in its implementation such as applying standardized fees and engaging stakeholders effectively.

He, however observed that some MMDAs collected funds way above the threshold without authorisation from the Ministry, and emphasized that the new guidelines will consolidate lessons learnt and introduce a more flexible, inclusive, and forward-looking framework.

Hon. Ibrahim also commended industry players and the private sector for their active participation, describing them as the engine of our local economies. He stressed that their perspectives are crucial to ensuring that the new fee regime remains fair, predictable, and growth oriented.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Africa Sustainable Cities Initiative (ASCI) for their continued technical and financial support, which has been vital in ensuring that local governance reforms remain responsive to emerging development challenges.

He called on all MMDAs to adhere strictly to the approved fee schedules, adding that any Assembly facing challenges with implementation should formally write to the Ministry for redress. He charged all stakeholders to come on board to develop a framework that strengthens local revenue systems while promoting accountability, inclusivity, and sustainable development across all Assemblies.

The Ministry will, in the coming weeks, finalize the draft Fee-Fixing Guidelines for 2026–2029, taking into cognisance the inputs from all regions. Per the validation, the new guidelines will serve as the national reference point for MMDAs in setting and collecting local fees and charges, ensure fairness, boost local economic development and promote transparency.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA