The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has underscored the urgent need for data-driven, inclusive, and community led governance as a cornerstone for sustainable development in Africa.
Delivering the keynote address at the 8th Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference and Exhibition held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Hon. Ibrahim stressed the importance of participatory governance informed by reliable data, citizen feedback, and inclusive decision-making processes.
“Participatory governance must also be evidence informed. Policies are only as strong as the data and insights behind them,” the Minister emphasized, adding that empowering citizens, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, is essential for inclusive development.
The three day conference, jointly organised by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) and ISSER, brought together scholars, development practitioners, policymakers, civil society actors, and international partners under the theme “Advancing Participatory Governance for Sustainable Development in Africa.”
Hon. Ibrahim acknowledged ICED and its partners for selecting Ghana to host the conference for the fourth time, and praised the theme for aligning with his Ministry’s renewed vision of “a decentralised local governance, upholding traditional values, religious co-existence in a clean environment for equitable and balanced development.”
He reflected on the unique structure of the Ministry now a tripod encompassing Local Governance, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs noting that the merger reflects a strategic policy shift aimed at harmonizing governance efforts rooted in tradition, faith, and civic administration.
“This structure strategically brings together three key institutions that have always been part of Ghana’s local governance system but operated separately. Their merger fosters collective action for more effective local governance and development,” he stated.
Highlighting major government interventions, the Minister cited the implementation of the Local Economic Development (LED) Policy (2024–2029) and Ghana’s ongoing decentralisation strategy as practical examples of participatory governance in action. The LED Policy, he said, empowers Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate with local actors to unlock economic opportunities at the grassroots.
Hon. Ibrahim also touched on the Government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, designed to stimulate productivity and create jobs across key sectors. He announced that 25% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) will be dedicated to constructing state-of-the-art, culturally relevant markets to support this policy.
“These markets will reflect our cultural identity and respond to the aspirations of market women and local businesses,” he noted.
The Minister also disclosed plans to re-launch the National Sanitation Day (NSD) under the broader “Cleanup Ghana Initiative,” which will go beyond symbolic clean-up exercises to become a sustained, citizen-led behavioural change campaign. He outlined measures for MMDAs to enforce sanitation by-laws, partner with waste management actors, and integrate sanitation into community engagement strategies.
“Sanitation is not the job of waste collectors alone. It is a collective civic obligation,” he asserted.
In closing, Hon. Ibrahim called on participants to generate a practical policy note from the conference one that offers actionable ideas to enhance participatory governance in Ghana and beyond. He pledged the Ministry’s support in translating the conference’s evidence into policy reforms that are grounded in community realities.
“Governance is not just about the state it is about people, communities, traditional leaders, and civil society. Their voices must not be seen as optional, but essential to how we govern,” he concluded.
The 8th E2A Conference continues through July 18, 2025, with panel discussions, exhibitions, and workshops designed to turn data and dialogue into tangible development outcomes across the continent.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey
(Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)