Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency and Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for his vetting on Tuesday. His session highlighted his depth of knowledge, strategic vision for local governance, and commitment to addressing critical challenges in decentralization and development.

During the vetting, Ibrahim emphasized the importance of fostering effective collaboration between Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). He stated, “The success of our local governance system hinges on strong partnerships between MPs and MMDCEs. Together, we can deliver development that meets the needs of our communities.”

The Minister-designate outlined his plans to enhance local economies by leveraging the unique resources of districts across the country. He expressed a commitment to creating jobs and improving livelihoods, saying, “Every district in Ghana has something unique to offer. We must identify and maximize these comparative advantages to drive sustainable development.”

Ibrahim also reflected on lessons from previous government programs, including the District Response Initiative Program (D.R.I.P.), which he acknowledged had faced challenges due to politicization. “While D.R.I.P. was a strong concept, its potential was undermined by partisanship. Moving forward, we must ensure that developmental programs are insulated from political biases to achieve their intended objectives,” he noted.

The vetting session provided insight into Ibrahim’s practical approach to governance and his vision for addressing systemic challenges in local government, chieftaincy, and religious affairs. His responses demonstrated a clear understanding of the ministry’s complex mandate and a commitment to fostering cohesion at all levels of government.

As Parliament deliberates on the recommendations from the Appointments Committee, Ahmed Ibrahim’s performance at the vetting has been described as a strong indication of his readiness to lead. If approved, he will assume a key role in advancing Ghana’s decentralization agenda, strengthening traditional authority structures, and promoting interfaith harmony.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Human Resource Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has organized a comprehensive training session for supervisors on the e-Service Personnel Application Record (e-SPAR) platform. The exercise focused on equipping staff with the necessary skills to effectively fill out the planning stage of the appraisal process for the 2025 work and performance targets.

The training, which forms part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and workforce productivity, aimed to streamline planning activities to ensure the achievement of set targets in the upcoming year. Participants were guided through the proper steps for documenting key deliverables, setting measurable goals, and aligning individual objectives with the broader vision of the Ministry.

Speaking at the training session, A representative of the Director of Human Resource at MLGCRA, Miss Naomi Addo, emphasized the importance of structured planning in driving organizational success. She noted that the e-SPAR platform provides a standardized framework for tracking and evaluating performance, thereby fostering accountability and encouraging continuous improvement among staff.

“This initiative ensures that every team member understands their role and expectations clearly, which is crucial for meeting both personal and institutional goals. By enhancing our supervisors' capacity to use e-SPAR effectively, we are laying a solid foundation for maximum output in 2025,” she stated.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the training, describing it as timely and essential. One supervisor remarked, “This session has clarified the appraisal process for us and will help us plan better for our teams. It’s a great step towards improving productivity and ensuring accountability.”

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing the necessary resources and support to enable staff to perform at their best. The Human Resource Division further encouraged all supervisors to leverage the tools and knowledge acquired during the training to enhance work processes and achieve superior results in the coming year.

This initiative is expected to improve efficiency, ensure proper alignment of work targets, and ultimately contribute to the Ministry's mission of fostering effective local governance and sustainable development across the country.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), in collaboration with the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) and DaovTech Design Group, held the 2nd Progress Meeting on the Improvement/Construction of six junctions under the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP). The meeting took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2024, at the conference room of the Ministry.

The GUMAP initiative, aimed at enhancing road safety and alleviating traffic congestion, targets six key junctions within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). These include Mambo Junction in Ga Central, Otublohum Road/Obibini Street Intersection in Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Baba Yara Road/Padmore Street Intersection in Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Ashongman Road/Alafia Road Intersection in Ga East, Three Junction in Ga West, and Ogbojo New Market Intersection in Adentan and La Nkwantanang Madina.

The project seeks to address long-standing challenges associated with traffic congestion and safety concerns in these areas. By improving the flow of traffic and reducing delays, the project is expected to enhance mobility and contribute to economic growth within GAMA.

The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders, including MLGDRD, DUR, DaovTech Design Group (Supervision Consultants), and representatives from the five contracted firms, to assess progress and address challenges in implementing the project. The contractors, who are key players in delivering the project, include Hydronomics Ltd, Brison Construction Ltd, Bothaa Ltd, S.S Kenkas Ltd, and ZDI Ltd.

The project commenced in November 2024, with construction activities well underway. According to the project timeline, all works are expected to be completed by May 2025.

Speaking at the meeting, the Technical Supervisor from the Department of Urban Roads highlighted the importance of adhering to quality standards and timelines, emphasizing the project's potential to transform urban mobility in the selected areas. Representatives from DaovTech Design Group presented an update on supervision and progress, noting significant milestones achieved while outlining areas requiring further attention.

The project aligns with the broader goals of the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project, which seeks to create safer, more efficient urban transportation networks across the country. As the work progresses, stakeholders remain committed to delivering high-quality results that meet the needs of the affected communities.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Melody Hini-Amoako

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)