By Darling Maame Efua Cann

On Friday, 11th July 2025, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) convened a high-level ceremony to inaugurate the Governing Board of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and the Council of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS). Presided over by the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the event marked more than a routine administrative engagement, it constituted a strategic intervention and a renewed call to leadership in Ghana’s local governance and planning landscape.

The appointments of Pln. Jonathan Azaaso as Chairman of the LUSPA Board and Dr. William Kofi Ahadzie as Chairman of the ILGS Council signal a deliberate step by government to reinforce institutional leadership with professionals of proven expertise, deep sectoral insight, and technical credibility. Their respective mandates are not ceremonial. They represent a renewed national commitment to strengthen the foundations of decentralised governance, improve the integrity of spatial planning, and ensure policy implementation at the local level is both responsive and sustainable.

Ghana’s spatial development challenges are well documented. Rapid urbanisation, weak enforcement of planning standards, and poor compliance with statutory provisions have contributed to a host of problems, from unregulated construction and ineffective land use to recurrent flooding and deteriorating city infrastructure. The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, under Act 925, is the lead agency mandated to regulate and guide the country’s physical development. Yet, without strengthened governance and full cooperation from MMDAs, the Authority’s impact has remained constrained.

In his address, the Minister was unequivocal in his charge to the newly inaugurated Board. He emphasised the urgency of ensuring that District Spatial Planning Committees become operational, that development and building permit regimes are enforced, and that all MMDAs establish permanent public data rooms as mandated by law. These measures, while technical in nature, carry profound implications for governance, transparency, and urban order. They represent the practical levers by which Ghana can address its enduring challenges in land management and spatial organisation.

In a similar vein, the Institute of Local Government Studies continues to occupy a strategic space within Ghana’s decentralisation framework. Since its inception, the Institute has played a vital role in building the capacity of local government actors, supporting policy development, and providing tailored training for public sector leadership at the sub-national level. However, the evolving development landscape requires the ILGS to scale up its influence, broaden its reach, and modernise its systems.

The government’s vision to transition the Institute into a specialised University reflects the recognition that decentralisation is not just a political ideal but a technical and professional imperative. As the primary institution responsible for grooming the next generation of local governance practitioners, the ILGS must now position itself as a centre of excellence, anchored in research, academic discipline, and practical training that is responsive to the needs of the country’s regions, districts, and communities.

This inauguration, therefore, is not simply about constituting new Boards. It is about entrusting two of the sector’s most important institutions with the responsibility to drive forward the government’s reform agenda under the Resetting Ghana framework. It is about reinforcing institutional credibility, recalibrating strategy, and ensuring that mandates are matched with measurable action.

The expectation is clear. LUSPA must lead on compliance and coordination of spatial planning activities across the country, while ILGS must rise as a thought leader and human capital developer in local governance. With effective collaboration, technical focus, and strategic foresight, both institutions can play a central role in redefining the quality of public service delivery at the local level.

At a time when the demand for effective governance, spatial coherence, and sustainable development continues to grow, the significance of this moment cannot be overstated. What lies ahead for these institutions is not business as usual, but the opportunity, and the obligation to become catalysts of national progress.

(The writer is a Public Relations Officer with the Ministry of Local Government. Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) and a Staff of the Information Services Department (ISD)

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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)