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Dan Botwe urges MDAs to promote decentralisation agenda
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Daniel Botwe has called on Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to exercise their functions well as slated in the Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936, to promote the decentralisation initiative.
He noted that the assemblies, as part of the Local Governance structure, were mandated to bring local governance to the people, adding they were in charge of the departments and all government projects in their jurisdiction.
“We all think there is an unfinished business in this decentralization thing. We have not paid much attention to it,” he said and called on the assemblies to be up and doing and ensure they go by their functions as stated in the Local Government Act, as well as take control of their development plan.
Mr Dan Botwe made these statements when he toured three municipalities including Lower Manya Krobo, New Juaben South and Abuakwa South in the Eastern region to inspect the progress of work made on the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Projects (GSCSP) which was funded by the World Bank.
The three municipalities, were among five other municipalities, including Upper West Akyem and Birim Central, in the region to have been selected to benefit from the project that was purposed to help to improve urban management and basic urban services in the beneficiary municipalities.
Construction of lockable stores, hostels, ultramodern markets, shopping mall, and redevelopment of the Koforidua Jacksons Park among other ongoing projects in the three municipalities were among 582 projects ongoing in 48 districts in the country.
Mr Dan Botwe also paid courtesy call on the Okyenhene,Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin in Kyebi and Nene Sackitey II,Konor of Lower Manya Krobo.
Speaking further, Mr Botwe explained that per the Act, “an Assembly member cannot go for an assembly meeting without meeting the people in their jurisdiction and after every assembly meeting, the person has to go back to meet the people again. It is in the law.”
“Decentralization occurs when the people in the assemblies take their own decisions, prioritize their needs and take annual action plans to ensure their needs are met,” he said.
He called on the assemblies to ensure that they account to the people in their jurisdiction and make them aware of the many projects ongoing in their communities that were meant to benefit them.
Speaking on the GSCSP projects, he was glad about the progress made and called the assemblies to own the projects and ensure that they yielded the needed results.
He noted that capacity building of the Local Government Service staff was necessary to enable them to deliver quality services to the people in their jurisdiction and hence the need for more education and sensitization.
He revealed several collaborations have been made with the Local Government Service to build the capacities of staff of the assemblies to enable them to deliver quality services needed for accelerated development in their communities.
“Some Assemblies are doing well in terms of ranking, but in totality, the average person should feel the presence of government and they can feel the government through government structures like the assemblies, unit committees and through other sub-structures of the assembly,” he said
He called on the media to also ensure that they hold the assemblies accountable and ensure they performed their functions based on what has been slated in the Local Government Act.
For his part, the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin noted that the centrality of governance was outdated and called on the government to ensure that decentralization was embraced to ensure accountability, transparency, ownership and development.
“It is when the people own their projects that we can ensure the development of this country,” he said and called on the government to emulate other developed countries that have embraced decentralization.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Acheampong said he was encouraged by the progress on the (GSCSP) and said if they continued in the region would achieve the needed development in the area.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
