Accra: The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to deepening transparency, accountability, and inclusive development across Ghana's local governance system. Delivering an address as the Chairman of the Decentralisation Sector Working Group (DSWG) at the DSWG meeting held in Accra, the minister outlined key achievements in 2025 and announced major priorities for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to Ghana Web, Ibrahim highlighted the successful launch of the National Sanitation Day (NSD), dubbed the 'Clean Up Ghana' initiative, which was inaugurated on September 6, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama. Observed on the first Saturday of every month, the initiative aims to tackle sanitation challenges in cities and towns, improve public health outcomes, and boost tourism.
On administrative reforms, Ibrahim disclosed that a committee chaired by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has submitted its report on the proposed upgrade of selected districts and municipalities. The report recommends upgrading 12 municipalities and one district, as well as elevating 20 districts to municipal status. The minister is reviewing the document before forwarding it to the President for Executive approval to pave the way for the issuance of Legislative Instruments.
The reclassification process is being guided by objective standards, including population growth, infrastructure readiness, and service delivery capacity. In line with the government's 'Funds Follow Functions' agenda, the Ministry of Finance, through the Office of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), released GHS6.29 billion covering all four quarters of the 2025 fiscal year to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Out of this amount, GHS4.3 billion has already been disbursed, with the fourth quarter currently being processed.
Additionally, GHS810 million under the DACF-Responsiveness Factor Grant (RFG) Programme is expected to be transferred to MMDAs in the second quarter of 2026 following the completion of the 9th cycle of the District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT). In what he described as a historic first, the Minister announced that the government has disbursed GHS100 million as monthly allowances to Assembly Members nationwide, aimed at empowering them to effectively carry out their responsibilities at the grassroots level.
The Ministry has also increased monthly allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers, representing a 300 percent increment. According to Ibrahim, this move is expected to strengthen the chieftaincy institution and enhance its contribution to national development.
As part of the government's economic transformation drive, the Ministry is collaborating with the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat to construct modern 24-hour markets in all 261 MMDAs. Designs for the markets have been finalised, and procurement processes are far advanced to commence construction nationwide. This initiative aims to stimulate local economic activity, improve trading conditions, and create jobs.
The minister announced that the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategic Framework (NDPSF 2026-2030) and the revised National Urban Policy (2026-2036) have been completed and are awaiting Cabinet approval. These milestones reflect steady progress in implementing decentralisation priorities.
President John Dramani Mahama will commence a Regional Accountability Series in the Bono Region, aimed at deepening social accountability, reducing audit infractions, and enforcing zero tolerance for corruption. The minister noted the positive impact of these interventions on various stakeholders, including pupils, market women, health workers, and traditional leaders.