The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has officially opened the International Urban Property Tax Workshop in Accra with a compelling call for reforms to enhance property tax administration as a catalyst for sustainable urban development and local governance transformation.

The high-level workshop, held at the Ange Hill Hotel, East Legon, was convened by the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) in partnership with the Local Government Network (LoGNet) and brought together a rich mix of stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders, representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, international development partners, and city managers from across Africa and Europe.

In his keynote address, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the critical importance of property taxation as a vital instrument for domestic revenue mobilisation under Ghana’s decentralised local government framework. Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Minister emphasised that good governance thrives on participation, justice, and transparency, principles that must underpin effective property tax systems.

He bemoaned the persistent systemic challenges that have plagued property taxation in Ghana and other African countries, such as outdated valuation rolls, weak enforcement, fragmented data, limited digitalisation, and low public trust. Hon. Ibrahim however noted that despite these challenges, Ghana remains committed to reversing the trend through robust policy reforms.

“Our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are best positioned to drive development at the grassroots. Property tax must become the lifeblood of local service delivery,” he stated, referencing Section 124(3) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which affirms rates as a core component of internally generated funds (IGF).

Hon. Ibrahim recounted recent developments surrounding property rate collection, including the Government’s 2023 decision to suspend centralised collection under the Ghana Revenue Authority and revert the mandate to the MMDAs to ensure fiscal fairness and efficiency. He described the move as a bold step aligned with the government’s Resetting Agenda, which envisions the abolition of centralised collections, technical support to MMDAs, and the promotion of municipal bonds and public-private partnerships.

He also advocated stronger inter-agency collaboration, particularly with the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission, to address the high cost of property valuations at the local level. “This workshop is not just about ideas; it must trigger action, innovation and collective ownership,” he urged.

The Minister commended the ACRC for its continued partnership with the Ministry, especially the recent launch of the Accra City Foundation Report, which spotlighted interlinked structural challenges in housing, land, informal settlements and urban connectivity; key domains that underpin property taxation.

Participants were encouraged to share best practices from successful cities like Kigali, Nairobi, and Lagos where digitisation and citizen engagement have yielded results in property tax reforms. Hon. Ibrahim stressed the need to explore similar digital solutions, policy frameworks and local capacity building approaches to improve compliance and service delivery in Ghana.

The workshop is expected to conclude with a set of key recommendations and action points that will feed into ongoing policy discussions and guide the design of inclusive and sustainable property tax systems across urban Ghana.

In closing, the Minister reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to driving local government reforms, strengthening fiscal decentralisation, and enabling city authorities to become financially self-reliant through innovative tax strategies.

“Let this not be a one-off. Let it be a springboard. Let us return to our institutions with renewed clarity and concrete next steps,” he concluded.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

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)