On April 16, 2025, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has held a strategic engagement with a visiting military delegation, providing insight into Ghana’s decentralization journey and local government system. The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to promote inter-institutional cooperation and share Ghana’s experiences with international partners.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, expressed appreciation for the visit and emphasized Ghana’s longstanding commitment to decentralization and grassroots governance. He noted that Ghana’s local government system has evolved significantly over the past three decades, marked by key policy reforms and institutional development.

“We have made considerable progress over the last 30 to 40 years in shaping a responsive and inclusive local governance system,” Mr. Abdul-Rahaman stated. “Decentralization in Ghana is not an event but a continuous process. We remain committed to refining it to ensure it delivers real value to communities, especially at the grassroots level.”

He acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges still exist, particularly in coordinating the roles of various public institutions and enhancing service delivery. However, he underscored the country’s resolve to overcome these challenges through shared learning, innovation, and commitment to reform.

Following his remarks, Mr. Abdul-Rahaman invited the Director in charge of Local Governance and Decentralisation, Pln. Seth Passah, to deliver a comprehensive presentation on Ghana’s local government architecture.

In his presentation, Pln. Passah elaborated on the legal and institutional foundations of Ghana’s decentralization system, guided by the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). He explained that Ghana operates a three-tier structure comprising the central government, regional coordinating councils, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), with the district assemblies serving as the core planning and implementation authorities at the local level.

“Our laws recognize the district assemblies as the only planning authorities within their jurisdictions. Any agency operating at the local level must engage with them in planning and executing development programmes,” Pln. Passah emphasized.

He also outlined the role of the Ministry as a policy and coordination hub for local governance, tasked with ensuring that all decentralization-related activities are aligned with national objectives. Notably, he highlighted the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization (IMCC), chaired by the President of the Republic of Ghana, as a strategic mechanism to drive cross-sectoral collaboration and ensure compliance with decentralization mandates across government institutions.

The engagement ended with an interactive session, during which both parties exchanged ideas on strengthening institutional frameworks, deepening decentralization, and fostering effective service delivery through knowledge exchange.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships that enhance mutual learning and further Ghana’s local governance agenda.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Implementation Support Mission (ISM) under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) advanced into its third day with a series of strategic engagements and project site visits across the Bono East Region. The delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the World Bank, Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), visited the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Nkoranza Municipal Assembly, and the Techiman Municipality.

The day commenced with a working session at the Bono East RCC, where officials presented the Council’s coordination role in the implementation of GSCSP projects. The RCC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Municipal and District Assemblies across the region through technical backstopping, performance tracking, and institutional strengthening to ensure smooth and accountable programme delivery.

The mission then proceeded to the Nkoranza New Market, a major intervention under the Urban Development Grant (UDG). Although the market infrastructure is structurally completed, no stalls or shops have yet been allocated, and the facility is not yet operational. Assembly officials informed the team that allocations are scheduled to begin by the end of June 2025. The team encouraged the Assembly to expedite this process to ensure timely utilization and benefits to the local community.

During the visit, the mission also advised the Assembly to undertake greening and landscaping around the market to enhance environmental aesthetics and create a clean, green atmosphere for future traders and patrons. This directive was noted and welcomed by the Assembly, which committed to putting measures in place ahead of the full activation of the market.

In Techiman, the team visited the completed Nana Abena  Market infrastructure project where some stalls have already been allocated and occupied. The mission impressed upon the Assembly the need to intensify stakeholder engagement and commercial sensitization to ensure that economic activity and viability around the facility begin to pick up rapidly. The Assembly was also encouraged to maintain the structure effectively and monitor the rollout of trading operations to sustain long-term benefits.

A highlight of the day’s field visit was the inspection of a multi-purpose sports park in Techiman, which features a football pitch, running tracks, and sections for volleyball and netball. Additional components, including a gymnasium, are expected to be added in the near future. The facility was commended by the mission team for its human-centered design and its potential to promote youth engagement, physical fitness, and community bonding.

Across the engagements, the mission team emphasized the importance of timely shop allocations, proactive maintenance, and landscape development to maximize the impact of GSCSP interventions. The need for effective grievance mechanisms and institutional accountability was also reiterated to ensure community trust and project success.

As the Implementation Support Mission continues, the World Bank and its partners remain committed to supporting local governments to deliver inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development across Ghana’s secondary cities.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/Sandra Owusu Asamaoah/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

World Bank and Partners Embark on Implementation Support Mission under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP)

The World Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), and other key agencies, embarked on an Implementation Support Mission (ISM) under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), with field visits commencing in the Upper West Region, Wa, on April 8, 2025.

On the first day of the Mission, the team conducted monitoring visits to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Wa Municipal Assembly (MA). These engagements formed part of the broader exercise aimed at reviewing implementation progress and assessing the impact of ongoing urban development sub-projects funded through the Urban Development Grants (UDGs) and the Capacity Support Grant (CSG).

The GSCSP, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen urban governance and service delivery in selected secondary cities, operates through two core financing components; the Urban Development Grant (UDG) and the Capacity Support Grant (CSG). The UDG provides performance-based funding to Municipal Assemblies to implement infrastructure projects that enhance mobility, economic activity, and urban resilience. The CSG, on the other hand, focuses on building the institutional capacity of Assemblies, supporting training and technical systems to improve financial management, planning, and local revenue mobilisation.

Within the implementation framework, Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) serve as the coordinating and supervisory bodies that provide oversight and technical guidance to the Assemblies, ensuring alignment with national standards. Municipal Assemblies (MAs) are the principal implementers of the Programme, responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on project delivery within their jurisdictions.

As part of the day’s field activities, the team inspected several key projects including the rehabilitation of the VA Jengabari Road (3.9 km) executed by Okiss Co. Ltd, the construction of the Kambali Central Mosque, Dobile Link Road (1.2 km) by M/S P&W Ghanem, and the upgrading of local road and transport infrastructure by M/S Asichaba Investment Ltd. These interventions are contributing significantly to improving urban mobility, access, and economic vibrancy within the municipality.

Beyond physical inspections, the delegation held working discussions with the Assembly’s implementation team to understand the broader developmental impact of the Programme. A key highlight from these interactions was the notable rise in internally generated revenue (IGR) reported by the Wa Municipal Assembly. According to officials, the construction of a new market under the GSCSP had stimulated economic activity, enabling the Assembly to allocate and lease market stalls, which translated into increased revenue performance.

Additionally, under the Capacity Support Grant, revenue officers received targeted training aimed at enhancing their capabilities in mobilizing revenue through innovative and efficient practices. This institutional strengthening has further contributed to the municipality’s improved financial health.

While the GSCSP continues to contribute to multiple development areas within the Assembly, officials emphasised that the revenue growth stands out as one of the most measurable and impactful outcomes of the Programme so far.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/Sandra Owusu Asamaoah/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)