The government has outlined a series of decentralisation reforms aimed at giving Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies greater capacity to deliver services and drive economic activity within their communities.
Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga said the reforms included the launch of the National Urban Policy 2026–2035 and the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy 2026–2035, as well as Cabinet approval of the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy 2026–2030.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, October 5, Mr Ayariga said the Ministry exercised policy and political oversight over 16 Regional Coordinating Councils and 261 MMDAs.
“President John Dramani Mahama believes that every local government authority must run a local economy to complement the running of the national economy,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said the government was also working with institutions including the Institute of Local Government Studies, the District Assemblies Common Fund, the Local Government Service, LUSPA, the Social Investment Fund and the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive to strengthen coordination within the sector.
He said the reforms were ultimately aimed at ensuring that local authorities became more service-oriented and responsive to the needs of residents
