In a milestone engagement that signals a deepening of Ghana’s decentralization reforms, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), hosted Her Excellency the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, for a high-level working visit on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The visit, the first of its kind to the restructured Ministry, served as a platform to review the transformative strides made under the “Resetting Ghana Agenda” led by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama.
Welcoming the Vice President, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim detailed how the Ministry has successfully transitioned through its recent realignment. He noted that beyond administrative changes, the Ministry has hit the ground running with the 24-Hour Economy Policy, specifically through the completion of designs for 24-Hour Modern Markets. These markets, which are set to be replicated across all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), represent a bold step toward industrialization and job creation at the local level.
The Minister emphasized that the “Reset Agenda” is already bearing fruit for local governance practitioners. For the first time in history, the government has facilitated the disbursement of GHS 50 million in consolidated monthly allowances for Assembly Members, a move that Hon. Ibrahim described as a critical investment in the morale and efficiency of grassroots leaders. This welfare-driven approach extends to the traditional sector, where monthly allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers have been significantly increased to GHS 3,000 and GHS 2,400 respectively, ensuring that the custodians of culture are adequately supported to lead their communities.
Reflecting on the administrative stability achieved in the past year, the Minister highlighted the successful confirmation of all 261 MMDCEs and the swearing-in of the 30% government appointees nationwide. This full composition of the Assemblies has paved the way for more robust financial management, evidenced by the timely facilitation of three quarters of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for 2025.
However, the briefing was not without a call for further action. Hon. Ibrahim petitioned the Vice President for intervention on lingering structural hurdles. He pointed to the need for more reliable funding channels, the retrieval of “swept funds,” and the completion of Regional Houses of Chiefs’ offices, which remain hampered by delays in commitment authorizations.
In her response, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang commended the Ministry’s proactive stance, stating that the success of the “Reset Agenda” is a collective national victory. She pledged her office’s readiness to collaborate, not just as a supervisor, but as a partner to ensure that every resource, whether large or small, translates into a tangible improvement in the lives of Ghanaians.
Closing the session, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim reaffirmed his commitment to the vision of a “Better Ghana,” stating, “May today’s engagement mark a great milestone in our collective journey toward the prosperity and accountability our people deserve.”
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
MLGCRA PR Unit
