Accra: Ghanaians went to the polls on December 7, 2024, and delivered a decisive verdict in the presidential elections, ushering John Dramani Mahama back into office as President of the Republic. His return marked the beginning of a bold national reset, one anchored in restoring confidence in public institutions, strengthening service delivery, and retooling governance systems to better respond to the needs of citizens.
According to Ghana News Agency, barely days after assuming office, President Mahama, acting under Section 11(3) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 327), effected a strategic re-organisation of government through Executive Instrument 1(E.I 1) of the Civil Service Instrument, 2025, dated January 9, 2025. This reform culminated in the realignment of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development into the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The realignment significantly broadened the Ministry's scope, incorporating chieftaincy, religious affairs, and sanitation into its mandate, reflecting the government's recognition that effective local governance must be anchored in administrative efficiency, cultural leadership, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
According to the sector minister, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), the first year was largely one of transition and consolidation. 'Our focus,' he noted, 'was on harmonising systems and sustaining service delivery by strengthening sector planning, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation.' Despite the transitional nature of the year, the Ministry recorded notable milestones in decentralisation and local governance, the traditional core of its mandate.
All thirty percent of Government Appointees to the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide were successfully appointed and sworn in, completing the composition of the Assemblies and enabling them to function effectively. The Ministry also coordinated the appointment and confirmation of all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), equipping them through an intensive orientation and training programme at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra.
In ensuring fiscal discipline and efficient service delivery at the local level, the Ministry issued comprehensive guidelines on the utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and facilitated the transfer of funds to MMDAs across the country. A key highlight of the year was the successful conduct of the 9th Cycle of the District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) for all 261 MMDAs under the DACF-Responsiveness Factor Grant (DACF-RFG), a performance-based financing mechanism supported by Development Partners.
In urban and rural development, the Ministry deepened collaboration with international partners to promote inclusive and resilient cities. In partnership with the World Bank, the Ministry launched the Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy in Accra, providing a national framework to guide Ghana's urban development. The launch was complemented by the validation of the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy, addressing housing and infrastructure challenges in vulnerable urban communities.
The Ministry, through the Department of Community Development, intensified grassroots empowerment initiatives, training community educators and conducting mass education campaigns nationwide. Women particularly benefited from skills training programmes in entrepreneurship, fashion, and catering, contributing to household incomes and local economic development. In social protection and job creation, the Ministry enrolled beneficiaries under the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project Phase Two (GPSNP 2), with a focus on women, and created jobs through the Social Investment Fund and Integrated Rural Development Project Phase Two.
Environmental Health and Sanitation became a defining pillar of the Ministry, with the successful relaunch of the National Sanitation Day and monthly clean-up exercises across the country. Environmental health and sanitation were integrated as key performance indicators for all MMDCEs, highlighting the government's commitment to cleaner, healthier communities.
Recognising the role of traditional and religious institutions, the Ministry undertook capacity-building interventions within the chieftaincy sector, organising training workshops for Traditional Councils and collaborating with the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) to enhance the legal understanding of chieftaincy in Ghana.
Looking ahead to 2026, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP) outlined priorities, including deepening decentralisation reforms, expanding sanitation initiatives, strengthening accountability, enhancing community development, promoting traditional values, and fostering peaceful religious coexistence. One year into the reset, the Ministry has laid a solid foundation for responsive, inclusive, and accountable local governance. While challenges remain, the progress affirms a commitment to reform, service delivery, and people-centered development.