The Parliamentary Select Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture, and Religious Affairs has lauded the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) for its effective leadership and commendable performance following a successful oversight visit on Monday, May 19. The visit formed part of the Committee’s mandate under Order 257 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which empowers it to examine the administration, policies, and activities of ministries under its oversight.

Led by Chairperson Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Committee engaged extensively with officials of the Ministry to evaluate its operational effectiveness, strategic focus, and policy implementation. The discussions were constructive and wide-ranging, reflecting the Committee’s intent to strengthen collaboration and ensure the Ministry is well-positioned to fulfil its mandate in promoting peace, preserving tradition, and enhancing local governance.

A central focus of the engagement was the Ministry’s approach to resolving chieftaincy disputes, an area of growing national concern. The Committee emphasised the importance of peaceful and sustainable solutions to these disputes and encouraged the Ministry to deepen its coordination with traditional leaders, regional houses of chiefs, and relevant judicial bodies. Officials from the Ministry assured the Committee of their commitment to inclusive dialogue, legal due process, and respect for customary practices as guiding principles in resolving such conflicts.

The Ministry also presented several key achievements during the session, showcasing its ongoing commitment to decentralisation and public service delivery. Notably, the Ministry successfully facilitated the Council of State elections and oversaw the appointment of 257 out of 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), helping to solidify local governance structures across the country.

Additionally, the Ministry is preparing to relaunch the National Sanitation Day initiative, an effort to promote environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility nationwide. Ministry officials noted that they are working assiduously to develop a comprehensive, sustainable framework to ensure the long-term impact of the programme. This initiative, they explained, aligns with national development and public health goals and is expected to mobilise communities toward improved sanitation practices.

The Committee expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s efforts to foster interfaith harmony, safeguard cultural heritage, and reinforce decentralised governance as foundational pillars of sustainable development. Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering dedication to advancing sanitation and waste management, describing these as critical components of building clean, resilient, and prosperous communities.

In its closing remarks, the Select Committee commended the Ministry for its leadership and progress while urging continued diligence in executing its responsibilities. The Committee also recommended that the Ministry intensify its stakeholder engagement efforts, particularly in efforts to resolve the protracted Bawku conflict, by ensuring inclusive and constructive dialogue that reflects the voices of all parties involved.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/Melody Hini-Amoako

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (NSUPS) has been successfully validated at the close of a two-day stakeholder workshop held at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra. Organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the workshop concluded on May 16, 2025, with participants expressing optimism that the strategy will play a pivotal role in upgrading existing slums and preventing the emergence of new ones across Ghana.

The NSUPS, developed with support from the UN-Habitat, aims to align national urban development with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. After extensive consultation and inputs from stakeholders, the strategy document has now been validated and will be officially launched and disseminated in October 2025, in conjunction with Ghana’s celebration of World Cities Day.

The workshop was held under the theme “To improve the living conditions of slum dwellers as well as reduce the proliferation of slums.” It brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from key ministries, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and other urban planning and development institutions.

Key components of the NSUPS include land tenure regularisation, improved infrastructure and service provision, the promotion of affordable housing and rental accommodation, support for local economic development, and slum-sensitive urban planning. The strategy also places strong emphasis on community participation and partnerships as essential elements of successful slum upgrading and prevention.

Participants included officials from the Ministries of Environment, Science and Technology; Finance; Works Housing, and Water Resources; Gender, Children and Social Protection; and Lands and Natural Resources. Several MMDAs, including Accra Metropolitan, Tema Metropolitan, Ga North, and Ayawaso East, were also actively involved in the validation process.

Technical support institutions such as the Ghana Statistical Service, the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) contributed technical insights and data to ensure the strategy is grounded in evidence and responsive to on-the-ground realities.

In closing the workshop, Dr. Pamela Adofo Ansong, Head of Urban Development Unit at the MLGCRA expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their commitment and input, noting that the successful validation of the NSUPS marks a major milestone in the government’s quest to transform urban settlements. “With this strategy, we are not only addressing today’s slum conditions but also taking preventive steps to ensure our cities grow in a sustainable and inclusive manner,” She said.

With the validation now complete, the Ministry and its partners will move toward finalising implementation frameworks and mobilising resources to roll out the NSUPS. Stakeholders remain hopeful that the strategy will lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for slum dwellers and serve as a model for integrated, people-centred urban development in Ghana.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

A Pre-Appraisal Mission for the fifth phase of the District Assemblies Common Fund – Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG V), also known as DPAT IX, has officially begun in Ghana. Spearheaded by the KfW Development Bank, the mission seeks to assess the framework and operational structure of the upcoming programme phase, with a deliberate focus on introducing a vulnerability window to provide targeted support to districts facing heightened development challenges.

Scheduled from May 12 to 23, 2025, the mission opened with a high-level kick-off meeting at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA). The meeting brought together key institutions including the MLGCRA, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), and the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC). The session laid the foundation for a cooperative review process between the Government of Ghana and KfW to ensure that the next phase of the DACF-RFG Programme is both inclusive and responsive.

The vulnerability window under consideration is a new design element that seeks to address developmental inequities by directing financial and technical resources to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that are most in need. This innovation is expected to enhance the impact of Ghana’s decentralisation policy by ensuring that support is tailored to the specific contexts of vulnerable districts.

As part of the mission, the KfW team is conducting field visits to six selected MMDAs across the Northern, Savannah, and Upper West Regions. These visits include on-site inspections of two completed DACF-RFG-funded projects per district and engagements with local authorities to gain insight into the realities on the ground, highlighting both achievements and challenges in project implementation.

A mid-mission exchange meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2025, at the MLGCRA, where the KfW team will present preliminary field findings and engage with the ILGS and IMCC. The session is expected to help refine the criteria, structure, and rollout plan for the vulnerability window, aligning it with local government capacities and regional disparities.

The mission will conclude with a wrap-up session on May 22, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance. This final gathering will bring together all major stakeholders, including the MLGCRA, OHLGS, IMCC, and the DACF Secretariat to consolidate insights, deliberate on findings, and agree on next steps toward the implementation of DACF-RFG V.

The KfW Mission Team is composed of Kathrin Kaestle, Team Leader for the Governance Sector; Viktoria Kowarzik, Portfolio Manager; Jochen Sinn, Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert; Malisa Koenig, Contract Manager; and Samuel Anokye, Senior Portfolio Coordinator for the Governance Sector in Accra. Their multidisciplinary expertise is expected to shape the technical and strategic design of the programme’s next phase.

At the close of the mission, a comprehensive report will be developed by KfW in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the MLGCRA. The report will provide a detailed synthesis of findings, identify critical lessons, and offer strategic recommendations to guide the successful rollout of DACF-RFG V, strengthening local governance and advancing equitable development across Ghana.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/Melody Hini-Amoako

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)