All is set for three communities in three regions to enjoy full water supply as part of government's effort to ensure all persons have access to potable water.

The project, which is in collaboration with the European Investment Bank under the African Sustainable Cities Initiative (ASCI), will take place in Tamale, Damongo and Takoradi and it is expected to serve all communities along that stretch.

In an opening remark, Mr. Amin Abdul -Rahaman, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), noted that the move is a major milestone for the Ministry as it forms part of a broader framework aimed at promoting climate resilience, inclusiveness and equitable urban development.

A kick-off meeting held at the Ministry on Tuesday, 8th July 2025 in Accra in collaboration with key stakeholders from inter-sectorial and international partners saw technical experts drawn from the GFA Consulting Group, an European consulting firm that specializes in development co-operation leading the ASCI Team. Also present were representatives from Regional Coordinating Councils, Ghana Water Company Limited, Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, the Environmental Protection Authority, some Engineers and Analysts among others, sharing rich ideas to make the project a success and impactful to beneficiary communities.

Mr. Abdul -Rahaman commended the selection of Damongo, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi as pilot cities under the ASCI, describing it as a clear affirmation of government’s readiness to implement innovative urban development strategies that align with national priorities and global sustainable goals.

He was of the view that the Tamale-Damongo Water Project is not just a critical infrastructural investment, rather, it symbolises a catalyst for integrated, inclusive, and climate-resilient development in the northern corridor, adding that the project will address the urgent need for reliable, equitable, and sustainable urban water supply systems in the face of environmental stress and rapid urban growth.

According to the Chief Director, in line with the Ministry’s broader strategic approach, a Capacity Building Strategy has been rigorously reviewed and approved under the ASCI framework. This strategy, he indicated, will equip local government actors and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies with the requisite skills, tools, and knowledge for the long-term sustainability and scalability of the project.

He was however excited with the inclusive process, highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to close collaboration with traditional authorities, civil society, and local communities to ensure the project remains “locally grounded, technically sound, and socially responsive.”

He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to make the Tamale-Damongo Water Project not only a success in water management but a beacon of what collaborative development can achieve in our cities.

Regional Ministers from the project beneficiary communities - Northern Region and Savannah Region were highly expectant of the project observing the difficulties the communities have faced over the years, stressing that reliable water is very paramount to every individual's life and health and pledged their outmost support to ensure the project receives the maximum commitment from the affected communities.

The Tamale - Damongo Water project was conceptualised in 2020, with the Ministry and all other linking partners undertaking the necessary steps for the project to kick start and see the light of day as government is committed to ensuring that the decentralisation agenda is well implemented at the local level.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) on Thursday, 10th July 2025, held a validation session for its 2025 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report ahead of submission to the Ministry of Finance.

The session, which took place at the Ministry’s Conference Room, brought together technical staff from directorates, units, departments, agencies, and ongoing projects under the Ministry. The objective was to ensure a thorough review and harmonisation of inputs into the draft report in line with statutory reporting requirements.

In his remarks, Mr. Usama Samu, Director for Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPBME), expressed gratitude to all participants for their dedication and technical contributions. He noted that the collective effort and insights shared during the session were instrumental in producing a credible and well-prepared document on behalf of the Ministry.

“This process is more than an obligation. It is an opportunity to reflect on our performance, identify challenges, and improve planning and implementation for the quarters ahead,” Mr. Samu said.

Participants scrutinised the Ministry’s budget execution performance, highlighting key expenditure trends, programme outcomes, and alignment with development priorities. The validation session also served as a platform for addressing data gaps, reconciling figures, and ensuring consistency across all departmental submissions.

The validated report will now be finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Finance in fulfilment of the Public Financial Management Act’s reporting obligations.

The Ministry remains committed to transparency, accountability, and results-driven governance in line with its mandate to promote local governance, strengthen traditional institutions, and support religious harmony for national development.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), on Friday, 11th July 2025, inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Board of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and the Council of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) at a ceremony held in the Ministry’s Conference Room in Accra.

The inauguration brought together high-level dignitaries including the Deputy Minister, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP); Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman; Director of ILGS, Prof. Nicholas Awortwi; CEO of LUSPA, Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah; and former Council Chairperson, Emeritus Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, among others.

In his keynote address, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim congratulated the newly appointed Chairmen Dr. William Kofi Ahadzie for ILGS and Pln. Jonathan Azaaso for LUSPA—along with all board members for the confidence reposed in them by the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

Describing the appointments as a significant call to duty, the Minister emphasized the importance of both institutions in Ghana’s decentralisation and development architecture. He lauded ILGS for its strategic role in training public officials within Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and in shaping policy through research since its establishment.

“As government rolls out the Resetting Ghana Agenda, capacity building for MMDCEs, Assembly Members, and staff of MMDAs has become more critical than ever. The Ministry is actively pursuing efforts to upgrade ILGS into a specialised university focused on professional and higher education for local governance while maintaining its core training mandate,” the Minister stated.

Turning to LUSPA, Hon. Ibrahim noted the Authority’s crucial role in guiding sustainable land use and spatial planning across the country. He urged the new Board to ensure full implementation of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), especially at the local government level.

He announced the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the full operationalisation of District Spatial Planning Committees and their Technical Sub-Committees, as provided under Sections 37 to 39 of the Act. He also pledged to issue directives under Section 47 for all MMDAs to establish permanent, publicly accessible Physical Data Rooms to promote transparency in development control.

“The status quo must change. In the Resetting Ghana Agenda, we cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results. I urge you to be bold, innovative, and results-oriented in your leadership,” he charged the governing members.

Hon. Ibrahim also paid tribute to the outgoing Board and Council members for their meritorious service and expressed hope that the new leadership would build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors.

The ceremony concluded with the formal declaration of the new Governing Board of LUSPA and the Governing Council of ILGS as duly inaugurated.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA