The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has emphasized that sanitation challenges in the country are fundamentally governance and institutional issues. According to him, addressing these challenges requires the development of a structured monitoring framework that aligns with efficient service delivery, facilitated through inter-institutional collaboration among all stakeholders in waste management.

Hon. Ibrahim made this observation during a meeting with staff of the erstwhile Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, as well as officials from the Korle Klottey and Accra Metropolitan Assemblies. The engagement sought to review sanitation successes and challenges within their jurisdictions and to chart a sustainable path forward.

The discussions centered on key aspects of waste management, including storage, collection, transportation, source separation and recovery, treatment, and final disposal. Participants acknowledged the need for enhanced coordination among government agencies, local authorities, and private sector players to ensure a more effective and integrated approach to sanitation management.

The Minister highlighted the potential role of the proposed 24-hour economy initiative by His Excellency, former President John Dramani Mahama, in transforming sanitation service delivery. He noted that with properly functioning streetlights, public cleaning and waste collection could be conducted at night, minimizing human disruptions and improving overall sanitation outcomes.

Hon. Ibrahim reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks and governance structures to ensure sustainable sanitation solutions. He called for collective responsibility in tackling sanitation challenges, urging all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards achieving a cleaner and healthier environment for all citizens.

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) is set to launch the Urban Complementary Livelihood and Assets Support Scheme (Urban CLASS) Productive Inclusion (PI) under the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project 2 (GPSNP 2) in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

This initiative aims to empower urban poor households, especially women and youth, by equipping them with skills training, entrepreneurship development, and access to finance.

As part of preparations for the rollout, the Ministry has held a one-day working session with CLASS Implementation Team members from various Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) in GAMA at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS).

The session focused on finalizing implementation strategies following a successful pilot in the Ga South Municipal Assembly and selected districts in northern Ghana.

Speaking at the session, a Principal Development Planning Officer and the Project Liason Officer of GPSNP 2 at the Ministry, Mr. Eli Kuadey, commended Government of Ghana’s commitment towards the implementation of the project and conveyed its appreciation to Development Partners for their ongoing support in expanding social protection coverage and poverty reduction efforts.

The event brought together representatives from MMAs in GAMA and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC).

With a credit facility from the World Bank, GPSNP 2 is a five-year initiative aimed at reducing extreme poverty and increasing the productivity and incomes of vulnerable groups. The Urban CLASS/PI component is a key part of the project, designed to tackle urban poverty by providing targeted support to low-income households.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah & Melody Hini-Amoako

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim was officially sworn in as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs by His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House on January 24, 2025.

Alongside his colleagues, Hon. Ibrahim took the oath of office, pledging to serve with integrity and diligence in advancing Ghana’s local governance structures and traditional institutions.

In his address, President Mahama urged the newly appointed ministers to approach their duties with a deep sense of responsibility, emphasizing the need for efficiency, accountability, and collaboration. He tasked them with implementing policies that would better the lot of the people of Ghana.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of himself and his colleagues, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in them and assured Ghanaians of their unwavering commitment to advancing the development of the nation.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)