By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Sept. 4, GNA – Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has pledged to prioritise the effective implementation of Ghana’s local governance system and hold Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies accountable for improving conditions in their communities.
He said Ghana did not necessarily need a redesign of its local government system but rather a stronger commitment to implementing the existing laws and structures effectively.
Mr Ayariga made the remarks after being officially handed over the Ministry by Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the outgone Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
He said local governance remained the most important level of government because it was where ordinary citizens interacted directly with the state and experienced public services.
“Whatever we do at the central level, if the local level where the people live is not fixed, they will not appreciate the value of what has been done,” he added.
Mr Ayariga said he would focus on ensuring that assemblies fixed basic problems affecting residents, including poor roads, drains, sanitation, street lighting, and public spaces.
He questioned why many assemblies continued to complain about inadequate resources while failing to mobilise revenues available to them through property rates, market tolls, business operating permits, licences and other local levies.
“Cities in developed countries were largely maintained through revenues generated from residents and businesses. Ghanaian assemblies must equally take responsibility for mobilising resources to develop their jurisdictions. If you do not raise the revenues, you cannot invest,” he stressed.
Mr Ayariga said he would also hold Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives accountable for their performance but would also expect residents to fulfil their civic responsibility by paying rates, tolls, and other legitimate levies.
He said his administration would work to make Ghanaian cities cleaner, safer, and more functional, describing sanitation as one of the most basic responsibilities owed to citizens.
The Minister said he would require the support of the media, civil society organisations, religious institutions, and traditional authorities to achieve his vision of transforming Ghana’s cities and towns.
He also reiterated the President’s charge to make decentralisation meaningful to ordinary citizens and ensure that assemblies became financially disciplined, accountable and responsive to the needs of their communities, and to address poor spatial planning, uncontrolled development, congestion, sanitation challenges and encroachment on public spaces.
Mr Ayariga assured Mr Ahmed Ibrahim that he would continue, and build upon the initiatives started under his tenure, adding that he would also continue to consult him where necessary.
He commended Mr Ibrahim for his dedication to public service and expressed confidence that he would excel in his new role as Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources.
Mr Ayariga said adequate housing and access to clean water were fundamental to preventing the growth of slums, poor sanitation, and public health challenges.
He, however, expressed confidence that despite the limited time available to him, significant progress would be achieved.
“We will fix the city, but we will fix it with the resources of the residents and inhabitants of the city,” he stressed.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei