In line with the Local Government Act 2016, (Act 936), the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has formally inaugurated the Sixth Local Government Service Council, with a call on council members to drive transformation in local governance and public service delivery.

In his inaugural address on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 at the Ministry's conference room, the sector Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that the inauguration of the Council was a reaffirmation of the President’s commitment to revitalizing local governance system to deliver results and promote inclusion.

 He indicated that the Local Government Service is the frontline of development, as it always deals with the people at the grassroot and are thus able to transmit feedback to shape policy development that reflect the aspirations of citizens.

In congratulating the members on their appointment, Hon. Ibrahim expressed government's confidence in their capacity to elevate the Local Government Service to greater heights. The Council is chaired by Ambassador Akua Sena Dansua (a former M.P, Minister, and Ambassador).

The Minister reminded them of their statutory mandate as stated in the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), to ensure the effective administration of the decentralized local government system and charged them to promote professionalism, accountability, and measurable performance across the service, noting that a responsive and well-trained workforce is key to modernizing local government.

While recognizing the high expectations despite the increasing complexities in the local governance system, the Minister called for integrity, strategic collaboration, and openness in the execution of their duty as the Sixth Local Government Service Council. He encouraged the Council to forge strong partnerships with institutions and development partners, stressing that a united front will make local government a true engine for national transformation.

Hon. Ibrahim further urged the Council to build on the legacy of their predecessors but exceed it in innovation and impact. He pledged the Ministry’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Council to address challenges and strengthen service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, the Chairperson, Amb. Akua Sena Dansua, acknowledged the challenges involved in the system, but assured President John Dramani Mahama that the Council will provide the requisite support, guidance and advice to drive the decentralisation mandate and make Ghanaians proud.

She was of the view that the Council's job is daunting, however, with the experience , expertise as well as the rich and diverse background of the council members, they will work assiduously to make the appointing authority proud, and Ghanaians happy.

The Sixth Service Council , also includes the following as members;   Audrey  Smock Amosa PhD (National Development Planning Commission), Prof Nicholas Awortwi (Institute of Local Government Studies),  Inusah Shirazu (Ministry of Education), Koku Awoonor -Williams (MD, PhD, Ministry of Health). Other members are: Prof. Lord Mensah (Office of Head of Local Government Service), Michael Harry Yamson (District Assembly Common Fund), Amin Abdul -Rahaman (Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs), Alfred Askedy Adjei (National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana), Mahmood Shakil Kpedau (Local Government Workers' Union) and Buipewura Mahama Abdulai Jinapor II ()National House of Chiefs.

The rest are Christopher Kwaku Dapaah, Richard Fiadomor PhD, Nubyl Kakra Vanlare and Mary Ampong.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has underscored the importance of youth empowerment as a tool to combat the increasing youth drug abuse at the La Traditional Area and its environs.

Speaking under the theme “Empowering Ghanaian Youth: Breaking the Chains of Drug Abuse through Cultural Heritage and Community Support,” at the 2025 Afrimi Yam Festival on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 at Abese La - Adonten, a sub-burb of Accra, she hailed the role of traditional festivals in shaping societal values and rebuilding stronger communities.  She stressed that the time was a perfect one for the Chiefs and people of La to stand firm and support the young ones in the area.

According to her, “festivals like Afrimi are not just celebrations, they are platforms for reflection, education, and renewal. Through dance, storytelling, and rites, we instill discipline, resilience, and pride in our youth and these are tools to resist the pull of substance abuse.”

Hon. Sowah commended Abese La‑Adonten Mantse, Nii Kwade Okropong I, for his transformational leadership and dedication to cultural progress, adding that the fight against drug abuse is a shared responsibility among traditional leaders, faith-based institutions, educators, and parents.

She used the opportunity to comment on some of government's flagship programmes geared at boosting local economic development, reaffirming government’s commitment to the “National Reset Agenda” and the 24-Hour Economy Strategy.

 The Deputy Minister outlined some key initiatives aimed at empowering young people, like the Youth Resource Centres across all sixteen regions to provide counselling, training, and recreation; Expanded vocational, digital, and entrepreneurial programmes; labour law reforms for youth-friendly workspaces; and the Increased youth participation in local governance.

 She emphasized that the initiatives  are not just interventions, rather, they are bold investments in the future of the youth, and urged the Chiefs and people to take advantage of it, stating that most of the young people engaging in the drug menace could be re-oriented and given employable skills to help reduce the scourge  of drug abuse.

She pledged the Ministry’s support in community-led youth development initiatives at the La Traditional Area, calling for closer collaboration between traditional authorities and government institutions.

Hon. Sowah also praised the Afrimi Festival Oversight Committee for its efforts in organising a well-structured, purpose-driven celebration, urging that the festival become a catalyst for a wider social movement.

She was  hopeful that the festival will unite and become a great force to enhance development in the area, stating that her appointment as the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs must bring unity among the chiefs in the La Traditional Area where she hails from.

Nii Kwade Okropong I used the occasion to appreciate and celebrate the Deputy Minister for her continuous support and contribution to the La Traditional Area. He gave her a citation and a plaque, in demonstration of how she has immensely contributed to her community over the years, giving her all to La and also making them proud with her appointment as the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

 In a concerted effort to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices such as child marriage, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has initiated a strategic engagement with Traditional Council Registrars in the Northern sector of the country.

The engagement, under the theme “Strengthening the Capacity of Traditional Councils on Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices Including Child Marriage Using the National Framework for Engaging Traditional Authorities”, saw registrars from the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North East, and Bono East Regions coming together to share ideas, while receiving training on the issues.

In a speech read on behalf on the Chief Director of MLGCRA, Mr. Amin Abdul -Rahaman, by the Head of Religious Affairs Unit, Mr. Richard Obeng Boafo, it came to light that  data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census indicated that child marriage remains alarmingly prevalent in several northern districts, with over 120,000 children aged 12 to 17 years reported to be married or cohabiting.

 This social issue, he noted, can be classified as a form of sexual and gender-based violence, as it violates fundamental human rights and robs young girls of education, health, and economic opportunities. He observed that it was for this reason that the Ministry has been partnering with the UNFPA to organise a series of capacity building workshop to aid the frontline officers handle such issues that come before the chiefs and the Council smoothly.

The Chief Director reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting traditional and religious institutions in their roles as custodians of cultural values and agents of community transformation. He, was of the view that, traditional and religious leaders are vital allies in addressing GBV and harmful practices noting that their influence at the grassroots is indispensable.

In 2024, under a UNFPA-supported work plan, 120 Traditional Council Registrars were trained using a specialised toolkit, and engagements were held with the National House of Chiefs and over 60 religious leaders. These efforts strengthened seven communities to make declarations to end child marriage, with the Paramount Chiefs championing it.

Mr. Amin-Rahman underscored the critical role of the media, community actors, and religious institutions in sustaining the momentum Stating that there must be a cautious effort to reduce these harmful practices to save lives.

Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Winfred Ochan, a Regional Representative at UNFPA , Jude Demosie said the UNFPA is very keen on safeguarding the lives of people by identifying and supporting the vulnerable in societies. He said it was for this main goal that they would want to reduce Gender-Based Violence and it's harmful practices in African countries with Ghana being one of them.

Regional Gender Officers Charity Batuure and Bushira Alhassan emphasized the importance of traditional authorities in reversing these harmful trends. They noted that it is very essential to communicate effectively where necessary and also report any suspicious issues to their regional offices. They were of the view that child marriages were destroying the dreams of the young girls today and needed to be reduced to its barest minimum.

The GBV and its harmful practices training, held on Thursday, 17th July, 2025 in Tamale, aims to deepen understanding of GBV among council registrars, address unconscious bias, and operationalize the national framework for engaging traditional leaders on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as family planning.

Source : Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA