The Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has praised the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for what she described as steady progress in deepening decentralisation and improving service delivery at the community level.
During a working visit to the Ministry, the Vice President was briefed by the sector minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, on key initiatives rolled out since he assumed office. The update focused on practical measures aimed at strengthening local governance structures and ensuring more effective use of public resources.
Central to the Ministry’s efforts, according to the briefing, is the orientation of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, designed to enhance their capacity and provide clear guidance on the management of the District Assemblies Common Fund. The Ministry has also convened a National Decentralisation Dialogue, creating space for broad stakeholder input into the future direction of Ghana’s decentralisation framework.
The Minister highlighted renewed engagement with traditional authorities as another pillar of the reform agenda. He disclosed that allowances for paramount chiefs and queen mothers have been increased by about 300 per cent, a move intended to recognise their role in maintaining social cohesion and supporting development at the local level.
Attention was also drawn to the rollout of National Sanitation Day work plans, which form part of a new 24-hour sanitation programme aimed at improving environmental health and cleanliness nationwide.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang welcomed the initiatives, particularly the emphasis on accountability in the disbursement and use of the District Assemblies Common Fund. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to decentralisation as a means of directly improving the quality of life of citizens.
She further stressed that effective governance requires collective effort, encouraging continued collaboration among government agencies, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to build strong institutions and deliver tangible benefits across the country.
