Parliament has officially approved the nomination of Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency, as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGDRA). The decision follows his successful vetting by the Appointments Committee earlier this week.

Ahmed Ibrahim’s approval was met with widespread commendation, with members of Parliament praising his clear vision for strengthening local governance and fostering collaboration between stakeholders. His deep understanding of the complexities of local administration and commitment to addressing developmental challenges were key highlights during his vetting.

The Minister-designate is expected to focus on improving coordination between Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to deliver effective governance at the grassroots level. He has also pledged to prioritize the economic empowerment of districts by leveraging their unique resources to create jobs and enhance livelihoods.

One of Ahmed Ibrahim’s notable commitments during his vetting was to depoliticize developmental initiatives. He highlighted the need to shield programs such as the District Response Initiative Program (D.R.I.P.) from partisan influences to achieve sustainable results. This stance has resonated strongly with both Parliament and the public.

With this approval, Ahmed Ibrahim will officially assume his new role upon being sworn in by the President. His ministry will be tasked with overseeing critical areas, including local government administration, chieftaincy matters, and religious affairs, which are pivotal to Ghana’s governance and cultural cohesion.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency and Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for his vetting on Tuesday. His session highlighted his depth of knowledge, strategic vision for local governance, and commitment to addressing critical challenges in decentralization and development.

During the vetting, Ibrahim emphasized the importance of fostering effective collaboration between Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). He stated, “The success of our local governance system hinges on strong partnerships between MPs and MMDCEs. Together, we can deliver development that meets the needs of our communities.”

The Minister-designate outlined his plans to enhance local economies by leveraging the unique resources of districts across the country. He expressed a commitment to creating jobs and improving livelihoods, saying, “Every district in Ghana has something unique to offer. We must identify and maximize these comparative advantages to drive sustainable development.”

Ibrahim also reflected on lessons from previous government programs, including the District Response Initiative Program (D.R.I.P.), which he acknowledged had faced challenges due to politicization. “While D.R.I.P. was a strong concept, its potential was undermined by partisanship. Moving forward, we must ensure that developmental programs are insulated from political biases to achieve their intended objectives,” he noted.

The vetting session provided insight into Ibrahim’s practical approach to governance and his vision for addressing systemic challenges in local government, chieftaincy, and religious affairs. His responses demonstrated a clear understanding of the ministry’s complex mandate and a commitment to fostering cohesion at all levels of government.

As Parliament deliberates on the recommendations from the Appointments Committee, Ahmed Ibrahim’s performance at the vetting has been described as a strong indication of his readiness to lead. If approved, he will assume a key role in advancing Ghana’s decentralization agenda, strengthening traditional authority structures, and promoting interfaith harmony.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Human Resource Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has organized a comprehensive training session for supervisors on the e-Service Personnel Application Record (e-SPAR) platform. The exercise focused on equipping staff with the necessary skills to effectively fill out the planning stage of the appraisal process for the 2025 work and performance targets.

The training, which forms part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and workforce productivity, aimed to streamline planning activities to ensure the achievement of set targets in the upcoming year. Participants were guided through the proper steps for documenting key deliverables, setting measurable goals, and aligning individual objectives with the broader vision of the Ministry.

Speaking at the training session, A representative of the Director of Human Resource at MLGCRA, Miss Naomi Addo, emphasized the importance of structured planning in driving organizational success. She noted that the e-SPAR platform provides a standardized framework for tracking and evaluating performance, thereby fostering accountability and encouraging continuous improvement among staff.

“This initiative ensures that every team member understands their role and expectations clearly, which is crucial for meeting both personal and institutional goals. By enhancing our supervisors' capacity to use e-SPAR effectively, we are laying a solid foundation for maximum output in 2025,” she stated.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the training, describing it as timely and essential. One supervisor remarked, “This session has clarified the appraisal process for us and will help us plan better for our teams. It’s a great step towards improving productivity and ensuring accountability.”

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing the necessary resources and support to enable staff to perform at their best. The Human Resource Division further encouraged all supervisors to leverage the tools and knowledge acquired during the training to enhance work processes and achieve superior results in the coming year.

This initiative is expected to improve efficiency, ensure proper alignment of work targets, and ultimately contribute to the Ministry's mission of fostering effective local governance and sustainable development across the country.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)