How MLGCRA is Building an Inclusive Culture from the Inside Out

(By Darling Maame Efua Cann)

Before tasks are assigned, before reports are submitted, and long before results are celebrated, there is deeper work that must be done. It is the work of creating understanding among colleagues, of making space for every voice at the table, of recognising that gender is not just policy it’s personal.

At the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), this work is being intentionally nurtured. Through a transformative Gender Mainstreaming Sensitization Workshop held on July 2, 2025, the Ministry has begun a powerful internal shift: shaping not just programmes, but people and laying the foundation for a more respectful, responsive, and inclusive work environment.

The workshop, led by the Ministry’s Gender Desk and aligned with its 2025 Gender Work Plan, brought together Directors and Unit Heads to reflect on what it truly means to wear gender lenses not only in policy planning but in everyday work culture, decision-making, and team interaction.

A Culture That Sees Everyone

Officially opening the session, Mr. Dela Kemevor, Director of General Administration, emphasized the importance of cultivating a professional culture where gender sensitivity isn’t a formality, but a value system. “Our ability to deliver inclusive development starts with how we work together as colleagues,” he noted.

Facilitators took participants on an interactive journey through the principles and practice of gender mainstreaming, encouraging honest reflection on biases, workplace dynamics, and how gender impacts communication, leadership, and access to opportunity.

The dialogue was rich. Participants shared stories, challenges, and aspirations — learning that gender inclusion is not only about outcomes but about processes. How we speak to each other. Who gets heard. Who gets supported. Who feels seen.

Why This Matters at Work

At the core of any thriving institution is its people. And when people feel respected and understood regardless of gender, they perform better, lead better, and build stronger teams.

Mainstreaming gender in the workplace fosters an environment of mutual respect and empathy, where individuals feel valued beyond stereotypes or assumptions. It actively reduces unconscious bias and curbs microaggressions, creating space for more honest and respectful interactions among colleagues.

By promoting fairness in task allocation, career progression, and leadership opportunities, it ensures that every staff member has an equal chance to contribute and grow. It also enhances collaboration by drawing from a diversity of perspectives and experiences, leading to more innovative and well-rounded decision-making. Ultimately, such a culture boosts staff morale, strengthens team cohesion, and improves overall productivity and institutional well-being.

It is not about favouring one gender over another, it is about creating a level playing field, where every staff member feels safe, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.

Wearing Gender Lenses in Planning and Practice

In her closing remarks, Madam Priscilla Attipoe, Deputy Director and moderator of the session, urged participants to carry the day’s lessons into both policy and practice. “Let us wear gender lenses when we plan and when we relate. Inclusion is not an event. It is a daily commitment and it begins with us,” she said.

Her message echoed deeply: that the truest form of institutional change starts not in boardrooms but in how we work with the person next to us, whether subordinate, supervisor, or peer.

MLGCRA’s Path Forward

The Ministry’s commitment to gender mainstreaming is not performative. It is strategic. And it is humane. By investing in staff training and embedding gender awareness across departments, MLGCRA is laying the groundwork for long-term, people-centered change.

From district assemblies to headquarters, the goal is clear: build teams that reflect the values we want to see in the country; fairness, dignity, empathy, and shared responsibility.

As Ghana continues to champion inclusive governance and equitable development, it must be mirrored in how institutions operate behind the scenes. And at MLGCRA, that mirroring has begun, one lens, one team, one transformation at a time.

(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)

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

+233 (0)552898114

+233 (0)277785044

Stakeholders in Ghana’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper coordination and joint action during a stakeholder engagement meeting held today at the Airport View Hotel in Accra.

Organized under the Government of Ghana–UNICEF WASH Programme, the high-level meeting brought together key representatives from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and local government institutions to strengthen collaboration for more inclusive and sustainable sanitation delivery.

The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), is the first of its kind following the recent transfer of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (EHSD) from the now-defunct Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to the Ministry, through Executive Instrument (EI) 1 of 2025.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, stakeholders were urged to view the transition as a timely opportunity to improve sector alignment and bring WASH interventions closer to communities.

“This transition should rather allow us to better align sanitation programming within decentralised service delivery structures and the traditional governance systems. It would eventually help bring our interventions closer to the people, grounded in local realities and responsive to on-the-ground needs,” the statement noted.

Participants were reminded of the Ministry’s continued commitment to national strategies, such as the Rural Sanitation Model and Strategy, aimed at improving rural access to safely managed sanitation services.

The Chief Director, through his speech, acknowledged the long-standing partnership with UNICEF and the significant progress made under the GoG–UNICEF WASH Programme. Key gains were cited in the areas of behaviour change communication, market-based sanitation, technology development, regulatory improvements, and financing models.

However, the Ministry also noted persistent challenges, especially in ensuring the sustainability of household toilets in rural areas. It emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the supply side of rural sanitation—addressing bottlenecks such as limited access to affordable materials, skilled labour, and resilient technologies.

Another pressing concern raised was the increasing threat posed by climate change to WASH infrastructure and public health.

“Climate change is no longer a future concern; it is a present and escalating challenge. Toilets are being washed away, water sources are diminishing, and public health risks are intensifying,” the Ministry cautioned, calling for climate-proofed WASH systems and integrated adaptation strategies.

During the meeting, a draft WASH coordination framework was presented by the Ministry for stakeholder review. The framework outlines roles and responsibilities of thematic leads, focal persons, and collaborating institutions, and aims to strengthen coherence, accountability, and results delivery across the sector.

In closing, the Ministry challenged all stakeholders to move beyond silos and renew their commitment to a common goal.

“Achieving open defecation-free status and ensuring safely managed sanitation services for all Ghanaians will require more than technical solutions. It demands strong partnerships, shared accountability, and an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion,” the Chief Director’s message stressed.

The meeting concluded with renewed pledges of support and collaboration from development partners, civil society, and local government institutions. Stakeholders commended the Ministry for creating a space for dialogue and pledged to continue working together toward a Ghana where every person lives in dignity through access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient WASH services.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in partnership with the World Bank, has completed a Mid-Term Review Mission of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project an important milestone to assess implementation, address gaps, and chart the way forward.

Since its inception, the SOCO Project has made measurable progress. Over 6,600 subprojects, including water systems, markets, schools, and health facilities have been delivered across Ghana’s northern border regions, with over 42,000 jobs created. These investments are strengthening both infrastructure and community cohesion in fragile areas.

The review focused on key thematic areas: project performance, financial management, sustainability of completed works, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and safeguards. The World Bank team commended the project’s physical achievements but expressed concern over a few issues. The Ministry assured the Bank of its ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the funding gap.

Other areas highlighted include the need for better inter-ministerial collaboration to operationalize completed assets, improve M&E structures, and ensure proper documentation on land tenure to secure project sites. The World Bank encouraged continued attention to environmental and social safeguards, though no major red flags were reported.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim reiterated that the SOCO Project remains a national priority, emphasizing that the initiative belongs to the people of Ghana.

In his official closing remarks, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, commended the partnership and called for practical, coordinated efforts to protect the integrity of the project. He stressed the urgency of resolving the financing gap to avoid reputational risk and delay in delivering impact to beneficiary communities. He also urged all parties to move beyond talk and take action:

The Mid-Term Review concludes with both Government and the World Bank aligned in purpose to deliver on the promise of SOCO and secure sustainable development outcomes for the northern regions.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)