The President of the Southern Ghana Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA), Pastor Thomas Techie Ocran, has assured the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs of the SDA Church’s unwavering support for the upcoming reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD). He made this known during a high-level engagement with the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, who paid a courtesy call on him as part of the Ministry’s stakeholder consultations towards the successful revival of the nationwide cleanup campaign.

In his remarks, Pastor Ocran commended the Ministry’s commitment to strategic planning and emphasized that the success of the NSD initiative lies in deliberate and coordinated execution. “If the Ministry plans and says this is what we will be doing this week, places are allocated to people to do things, equipment is made available, and vehicles are deployed to assist, then we can be sure we will succeed, not just from the SDA point of view, but at a national level,” he said.

While affirming the SDA’s readiness to cooperate with government efforts, Pastor Ocran also clarified the Church’s doctrinal stance regarding work on Saturdays, which are observed as holy. He therefore proposed Sunday as the most appropriate day for the Church’s active participation in sanitation exercises. “We cannot work on Saturday, but we are willing and committed to working on Sunday. As long as you will work with us in that direction, we will work with you,” he stated.

Pastor Ocran further referenced past collaborative efforts with previous administrations, highlighting the Church’s consistent engagement in national development activities. He revealed that his directors had suggested May 1, a public holiday, as a symbolic opportunity to launch the initiative, which could then be followed by broader action on Sunday, May 4.

“We want to assure you that if this is clearly indicated in the planning, our members will understand, and all eyes will be on us to lead by example. We will do our best for the glory of God first and in support of national development,” he emphasized.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership of the SDA Church for their openness and commitment to nation-building. He reiterated the Ministry’s inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement and acknowledged the indispensable role of religious institutions in mobilizing communities for sustained national impact.

The reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day forms part of government’s renewed agenda to improve environmental cleanliness, public hygiene, and civic responsibility through community-driven action.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

As part of efforts to rekindle national consciousness on environmental cleanliness, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has paid a strategic courtesy call on the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana to rally support for the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD).

The visit forms part of a broader national mobilization campaign aimed at reinvigorating the culture of cleanliness and civic responsibility across the country. The Minister emphasized that the sanitation drive is a flagship agenda of the government led by President John Dramani Mahama, and the reintroduction of National Sanitation Day (NSD) is critical to addressing long-standing sanitation challenges confronting the nation.

Hon. Ibrahim noted that religious leaders, particularly the clergy are key stakeholders in this process, given their moral influence, extensive community presence, and capacity to mobilize large segments of the population. He therefore called on the Christian Council to actively participate in the campaign and to help sustain the momentum of environmental consciousness through their platforms.

“The church remains a vital partner in national development,” the Minister said. “If we are to make meaningful progress in keeping our communities clean, we must involve people of influence, those who can shape values and attitudes. That is why we are here today.”

He explained that the reintroduction of National Sanitation Day is not just a one-off campaign but a critical element of the government's long-term development strategy to promote ethical governance, civic discipline, and responsible environmental stewardship.

The Chairman of the Christian Council, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilliard Dogbe, welcomed the Minister’s visit and commended the government for recognizing the strategic role of faith-based organizations in national transformation. He assured the Minister of the Council’s full support, noting that sanitation is not only a civic duty but a moral and Christian obligation.

Rt. Rev. Dogbe further revealed that the Council has, over the past two years, been running nationwide engagements under the theme “Ethical Leadership”, incorporating discussions around environmental stewardship, civic ethics, and social accountability. He stressed the need for continuous government action beyond the symbolic clean-up days and called for structured public education, particularly among children to foster a new culture of cleanliness and waste segregation.

“Environmental care is part of our divine stewardship,” he said. “We will support this cause not just because it is a national campaign but because it aligns with our values as people of faith.”

He also disclosed that the Council will relay the call to its member churches through an official directive and ensure that the entire Christian community contributes meaningfully to the revival of National Sanitation Day.

The National Sanitation Day is scheduled to resume officially on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, and will subsequently be observed on the first Saturday of every month as part of a national movement to restore cleanliness and environmental responsibility in all communities.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has successfully hosted a high-level debriefing session on the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), following an Implementation Support Mission conducted by the World Bank. The session, held from 14th to 17th April 2025, brought together key stakeholders from government and development institutions to reflect on implementation progress and chart the way forward for inclusive and resilient urban development.

The support mission focused on Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) in the Upper West, Savanna, and Bono East regions, and Municipal Assemblies including West Gonja, Techiman, and Nkoranza South. It offered a platform to share insights from the field, assess project performance, and identify strategic adjustments to sustain impact across all project areas.

As part of the mission activities, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Finance to discuss inter-ministerial coordination, financial alignment, and strategic collaboration. This engagement reaffirmed the commitment of key government agencies to ensuring sound fiscal management and continuity in development delivery.

Field assessments conducted during the mission highlighted the need for strengthened contract supervision, improved adherence to implementation timelines, and enhanced fire safety systems to protect community infrastructure. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges through stronger collaboration with implementing partners, Assemblies, and local stakeholders.

Addressing participants during the wrap-up session, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon.  Ahmed Ibrahim, commended the measurable impact of the programme, particularly in transforming infrastructure, improving service delivery, and elevating the overall quality of life for residents in beneficiary cities.

    “The Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme has brought transformative change to participating municipalities. Beneficiaries of the programme are experiencing meaningful improvements and are privileged to be part of this initiative,” he stated.

In view of the programme’s success, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim revealed that the Ministry has commenced engagements with the World Bank to explore options for additional financing; either to scale up the current programme or to launch a second phase.

    “The aim of this next phase,” he noted, “is to broaden the geographical reach and expand the programme’s interventions. We seek to extend the benefits to more secondary cities and fast-track inclusive urban development across the country.”

The debriefing also stressed the importance of improved coordination between procurement and contract management functions. The Ministry is currently undertaking efforts to streamline internal processes, enhance reporting systems, and reinforce communication across implementation teams to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of project milestones.

In line with the programme’s long-term development goals, the Ministry and its partners are placing increasing emphasis on institutional strengthening, capacity building of local governments, and improved service delivery to citizens. This holistic approach is expected to foster greater community ownership, enhance public satisfaction, and drive sustainable local development beyond physical infrastructure.

As the project cycle nears completion, the Ministry is prioritising a well-structured close-out process, which includes finalising contractual obligations, completing monitoring and evaluation activities, and compiling success stories to inform future development planning.

By fostering strategic partnerships, demonstrating results, and maintaining sound project management practices, the MLGCRA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting inclusive, people-centred urban growth. The Ministry looks forward to deepening collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners to drive national progress and build community resilience.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/Sandra Owusu Asamaoah/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)