The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has called for a bold and united national effort to drive regional industrialisation and deepen local economic integration, describing it as essential to Ghana’s inclusive growth and development.
Delivering the keynote address at the 3rd edition of the Made-in-Ghana Business Summit held at the Accra International Conference Centre, the Minister highlighted the urgent need to shift from centralised development models toward district-based, community-empowered economic strategies.
“The call to promote regional industrialisation is not just about industry. It is about dignity,” he stated. “It is about empowering our people where they live, decentralising opportunity, and ensuring that every Ghanaian; from Bawku to Axim, can find decent jobs and contribute meaningfully to our economy.”
This year’s summit, held under the theme “Promoting Regional Industrialisation and Business Integration in Ghana,” brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, traditional authorities, the diplomatic corps, and development partners to explore sustainable pathways for Ghana’s economic transformation.
Hon. Ibrahim announced a major policy shift in the allocation of resources to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), revealing that the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has been increased from 50% to 80% under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama. According to him, this increase is not merely a budgetary adjustment but a firm commitment to empowering local authorities with the financial muscle to plan, implement and sustain transformative projects.
He explained that with this increment, Assemblies will be better positioned to expand infrastructure, support youth and women-led enterprises, and deliver real, visible impact in communities across the country. This, he added, would accelerate decentralisation and build resilient, self-sufficient local economies.
The Minister further highlighted how ongoing development programmes are already contributing to this agenda. He mentioned the GrEEn Project, funded by the European Union and the UNCDF, which is creating green jobs in the Ashanti and Western Regions by supporting climate-smart agriculture, waste-to-energy systems and eco-tourism. He also referenced the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, a $150 million World Bank initiative currently being implemented in 48 Assemblies. This programme is aimed at addressing community resilience, strengthening local infrastructure, and improving economic opportunities in vulnerable northern regions.
Additionally, he cited the Ghana Productive Safety Net Programme II (GPSNP II), which has provided labour-intensive job opportunities and critical support to vulnerable households through interventions such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.
Hon. Ibrahim announced the successful integration of the Chieftaincy sector into the Ministry’s framework, describing it as a vital step toward enhancing participatory governance. He emphasised the important role of traditional authorities as custodians of land, culture and community stability. Their involvement in resolving land disputes, securing land for agro-industrial projects, and supporting youth entrepreneurship, he noted, is helping to bridge the gap between modern governance and traditional leadership.
“Our chiefs are not relics of the past; they are partners in development,” he said. “Their involvement ensures legitimacy, cultural alignment, and long-term sustainability of projects across the regions.”
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s vision of building a future where no region is left behind. “Our regional industrialisation agenda is not a dream; it is a plan already in motion. The foundation is set. The tools are in our hands. What remains is collective will.”
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)