In a bold reaffirmation of Ghana's commitment to inclusive growth and decentralised governance, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Swiss Government, officially launched the Ghana Cooperation Programme (2025–2028) of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. 

The launch, attended by high-level dignitaries including His Royal Majesty Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, the Osu Mantse; Her Excellency Simone Giger, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana; and Ms. Janine Walz, Head of Cooperation at the Swiss Embassy, marked a significant milestone in a 23-year development partnership between Ghana and Switzerland. 

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), highlighted the Programme’s central focus on deepening decentralisation, promoting sustainable urban mobility, enhancing environmental integrity, and driving inclusive economic growth. 

“This programme is more than a development framework it is a partnership for transformation,” the Minister stated. “It aligns perfectly with Ghana’s Revised National Urban Policy and the recently launched Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy, and it reaffirms our shared vision of building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous nation.” 

Over the years, SECO’s interventions in Ghana have supported institutional reform and improved local governance through landmark initiatives such as the District Assemblies Common Fund–Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG), which has delivered over 8,000 community infrastructure projects, and the Responsive, Effective, and Efficient Local Governance in Ghana (REELG) project, which trained over 7,900 Assembly Members and built leadership capacity across 40 MMDCEs. 

Equally notable is the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP), launched in 2016, which has significantly improved public transport planning and urban mobility within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. Building on this momentum, GUMAP Phase II is in preparation, backed by a proposed USD 6.9 million grant from SECO. The new phase will expand to include Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, focusing on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. 

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim also underscored Switzerland’s critical role in promoting macroeconomic resilience, youth employment, and environmental stewardship. “The Ghana Cooperation Programme’s commitment to environmental integrity recognises the pivotal role of local governments in implementing climate-smart and green growth policies,” he noted. 

The Minister expressed Ghana’s deep appreciation to the Swiss Government and people for their consistent and meaningful support. “Your partnership is not only financial, it is a vote of confidence in our democratic and developmental journey,” he remarked. 

The Ghana Cooperation Programme (2025–2028) is poised to accelerate Ghana’s decentralisation agenda, strengthen institutional frameworks, empower local authorities, and deliver sustainable development outcomes at the grassroots level. 

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann 

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA) 

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development has received a team from the World Bank and its technical partners as part of an ongoing Mid-Term Review Mission of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project.

The review mission is a key component of the project’s accountability and learning process, aimed at assessing progress, identifying implementation challenges, and refining the strategy for the remaining project period.

As part of the mission activities, the team paid a courtesy call on the Ministry to officially inform leadership of the commencement of the review. The visit also served as a platform to highlight the purpose of the mission, engage in frank dialogue on project performance, and reaffirm the shared commitment to ensuring the success of the SOCO Project in Ghana.

During the briefing session, the team outlined the main objectives of the Mid-Term Review. These include assessing the status of ongoing project activities across all components, reviewing the consistency of project delivery with its original design, and determining what adjustments may be needed to better respond to the current realities on the ground. The review also seeks to examine institutional coordination, the status of financial flows, and the functionality and sustainability of completed and ongoing infrastructure.

The Ministry expressed its appreciation to the World Bank for its continued technical and financial support and acknowledged the collaborative efforts between national and regional stakeholders in implementing the project. It further assured the mission team of its commitment to address identified gaps and strengthen coordination to enhance the pace and quality of delivery moving forward.

The Mid-Term Review of the Gulf of Guinea SOCO Project comes at a crucial time in the project cycle and is expected to provide valuable insights to inform the remaining years of implementation. Both the Ministry and its partners remain confident that the review process will contribute meaningfully to improving outcomes and ensuring lasting impact for the communities the project serves.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)

The Government of Ghana, through the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), has officially launched a transformative policy action research programme aimed at boosting youth entrepreneurship and local economic development. The programme, known as Youth Economic Inclusion through the Next Generation Local Economic Development (NGLED), was inaugurated in Accra on Monday, June 23, 2025, as part of the government's broader efforts to tackle youth unemployment and foster sustainable economic growth at the grassroots level.

At the launch event, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, who spoke on behalf of Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the sector minister, highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of Ghana’s youthful population, which comprises over 75% of the population under 35 years. "This is not just a statistic, it is a call to action," she said, urging a fundamental shift in governance, planning, and investment to ensure a brighter future for the country’s youth.

Hon. Sowah emphasized that the NGLED initiative, led by ILGS and supported by the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, seeks to position Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as key drivers of job creation. The programme, which has already facilitated the establishment of youth-led business cooperatives in poultry farming, fish farming, and livestock rearing in various districts such as Atiwa East, Awutu Senya East, Sekondi-Takoradi, and Elmina, offers startup capital ranging from GHS 60,000 to GHS 75,000 per group. In addition, participants will benefit from mentorship, training, and access to markets, creating an all-encompassing approach to supporting sustainable youth entrepreneurship.

"The NGLED initiative is not just another youth programme; it is a holistic model for local economic transformation," said Hon. Sowah. "We are investing in the future of Ghana’s youth, empowering them to create long-lasting businesses that will contribute to economic growth."

The NGLED programme is an integral part of the government's 2024-2029 Local Economic Development (LED) Policy, which provides a strategic framework for enhancing the capacity of MMDAs to drive local economic growth. It also aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Adwumawura Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy, both of which aim to create 10,000 youth-led businesses annually and establish a microcredit institution with a seed fund of GHS 750 million.

In his welcome address, Professor Nicholas Awortwe, Director of ILGS, spoke about the programme’s goal of increasing youth participation in economic activities and decision-making processes within local governance structures. He stressed that the NGLED initiative is supported by the Netherlands Embassy and the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform and forms part of a broader local government forum aimed at addressing key local governance and economic development challenges.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, in his speech delivered by Hon. Sowah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to embedding Local Economic Development strategies into the Medium-Term Development Plans of all MMDAs. He also called for enhanced collaboration with traditional authorities to unlock land for small and medium-scale industries, which are essential for strengthening the local economy.

"It is time for MMDAs to embrace their role as economic enablers," said Hon. Ibrahim. "The youth are not just the future, they are the present. We must provide them with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed."

The launch of NGLED was met with enthusiasm by youth entrepreneurs, who expressed their excitement about the opportunities the programme provides. Many youth-led businesses that have benefited from the initiative spoke about the positive impact it has already had on their operations and expressed hope for a sustainable future in business.

As the government moves forward with the NGLED programme, the goal is clear: to transform local economies, create thousands of jobs, and empower young people to become leaders in their communities. With this comprehensive initiative, the government is providing youth entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, capital, and support to succeed in the ever-changing global economy.

The launch of this policy action research programme signals a bright future for Ghana’s youth, demonstrating the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in youth-led businesses and the sustainable development of the local economy.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)