Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has been appointed as a member of the newly inaugurated 8th National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

The 37-member Commission was inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama, who charged the body with the critical task of developing a unified, long-term national development plan that transcends political cycles and positions Ghana on a path of sustainable and inclusive transformation.

At the ceremony, President Mahama urged the Commission to "deliver a bold and transformative path" for the country, one that addresses deep-rooted structural limitations and reduces Ghana’s continued reliance on a narrow range of primary commodities. He called for the consolidation of existing long-term frameworks such as the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, Ghana@100 Long-term Framework, and Vision 2057 Perspective Plan into a single, forward-looking and people-driven national development blueprint.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim’s appointment is viewed as a strategic step in ensuring that local governance, traditional leadership, and religious affairs are fully represented in the national planning discourse. As Minister responsible for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, his presence on the Commission brings critical insight into the realities of grassroots governance, decentralised development, and the role of culture and faith in shaping public behaviour and policy outcomes.

The NDPC, established under the 1992 Constitution and governed by Acts 479 and 480, is responsible for preparing national development plans, monitoring the implementation of government programmes, and providing policy advice to the President and Parliament.

In his address, President Mahama highlighted the Commission’s role in supporting the development of the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies, which he is required to present to Parliament within two years. This programme will, in turn, provide the foundation for Ghana’s next Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework, guiding government operations at both national and subnational levels for the next four years.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim’s experience in governance and local development is expected to add depth to the Commission’s work, particularly in ensuring that the new development plan is inclusive, community-oriented, and anchored in Ghana’s unique cultural and governance systems.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has officially opened the International Urban Property Tax Workshop in Accra with a compelling call for reforms to enhance property tax administration as a catalyst for sustainable urban development and local governance transformation.

The high-level workshop, held at the Ange Hill Hotel, East Legon, was convened by the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) in partnership with the Local Government Network (LoGNet) and brought together a rich mix of stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders, representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies, international development partners, and city managers from across Africa and Europe.

In his keynote address, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the critical importance of property taxation as a vital instrument for domestic revenue mobilisation under Ghana’s decentralised local government framework. Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Minister emphasised that good governance thrives on participation, justice, and transparency, principles that must underpin effective property tax systems.

He bemoaned the persistent systemic challenges that have plagued property taxation in Ghana and other African countries, such as outdated valuation rolls, weak enforcement, fragmented data, limited digitalisation, and low public trust. Hon. Ibrahim however noted that despite these challenges, Ghana remains committed to reversing the trend through robust policy reforms.

“Our Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are best positioned to drive development at the grassroots. Property tax must become the lifeblood of local service delivery,” he stated, referencing Section 124(3) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which affirms rates as a core component of internally generated funds (IGF).

Hon. Ibrahim recounted recent developments surrounding property rate collection, including the Government’s 2023 decision to suspend centralised collection under the Ghana Revenue Authority and revert the mandate to the MMDAs to ensure fiscal fairness and efficiency. He described the move as a bold step aligned with the government’s Resetting Agenda, which envisions the abolition of centralised collections, technical support to MMDAs, and the promotion of municipal bonds and public-private partnerships.

He also advocated stronger inter-agency collaboration, particularly with the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission, to address the high cost of property valuations at the local level. “This workshop is not just about ideas; it must trigger action, innovation and collective ownership,” he urged.

The Minister commended the ACRC for its continued partnership with the Ministry, especially the recent launch of the Accra City Foundation Report, which spotlighted interlinked structural challenges in housing, land, informal settlements and urban connectivity; key domains that underpin property taxation.

Participants were encouraged to share best practices from successful cities like Kigali, Nairobi, and Lagos where digitisation and citizen engagement have yielded results in property tax reforms. Hon. Ibrahim stressed the need to explore similar digital solutions, policy frameworks and local capacity building approaches to improve compliance and service delivery in Ghana.

The workshop is expected to conclude with a set of key recommendations and action points that will feed into ongoing policy discussions and guide the design of inclusive and sustainable property tax systems across urban Ghana.

In closing, the Minister reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to driving local government reforms, strengthening fiscal decentralisation, and enabling city authorities to become financially self-reliant through innovative tax strategies.

“Let this not be a one-off. Let it be a springboard. Let us return to our institutions with renewed clarity and concrete next steps,” he concluded.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture, and Religious Affairs has lauded the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) for its effective leadership and commendable performance following a successful oversight visit on Monday, May 19. The visit formed part of the Committee’s mandate under Order 257 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which empowers it to examine the administration, policies, and activities of ministries under its oversight.

Led by Chairperson Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Committee engaged extensively with officials of the Ministry to evaluate its operational effectiveness, strategic focus, and policy implementation. The discussions were constructive and wide-ranging, reflecting the Committee’s intent to strengthen collaboration and ensure the Ministry is well-positioned to fulfil its mandate in promoting peace, preserving tradition, and enhancing local governance.

A central focus of the engagement was the Ministry’s approach to resolving chieftaincy disputes, an area of growing national concern. The Committee emphasised the importance of peaceful and sustainable solutions to these disputes and encouraged the Ministry to deepen its coordination with traditional leaders, regional houses of chiefs, and relevant judicial bodies. Officials from the Ministry assured the Committee of their commitment to inclusive dialogue, legal due process, and respect for customary practices as guiding principles in resolving such conflicts.

The Ministry also presented several key achievements during the session, showcasing its ongoing commitment to decentralisation and public service delivery. Notably, the Ministry successfully facilitated the Council of State elections and oversaw the appointment of 257 out of 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), helping to solidify local governance structures across the country.

Additionally, the Ministry is preparing to relaunch the National Sanitation Day initiative, an effort to promote environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility nationwide. Ministry officials noted that they are working assiduously to develop a comprehensive, sustainable framework to ensure the long-term impact of the programme. This initiative, they explained, aligns with national development and public health goals and is expected to mobilise communities toward improved sanitation practices.

The Committee expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s efforts to foster interfaith harmony, safeguard cultural heritage, and reinforce decentralised governance as foundational pillars of sustainable development. Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering dedication to advancing sanitation and waste management, describing these as critical components of building clean, resilient, and prosperous communities.

In its closing remarks, the Select Committee commended the Ministry for its leadership and progress while urging continued diligence in executing its responsibilities. The Committee also recommended that the Ministry intensify its stakeholder engagement efforts, particularly in efforts to resolve the protracted Bawku conflict, by ensuring inclusive and constructive dialogue that reflects the voices of all parties involved.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/Melody Hini-Amoako

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)