Govt will restructure DRIP initiative — Ahmed Ibrahim

The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has said the government will restructure and streamline the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).

He underscored the need to develop proper management structures, sign relevant agreements, establish committees to oversee the programme’s implementation and monitor systems for the DRIP programme to ensure effective utilisation of the procured machines.

“We cannot allow such a significant investment to go to waste. By working collaboratively with technocrats, MPs, and other stakeholders, we will ensure the success of the DRIP initiative,” he added.

He said the initiative faced challenges because the Ministry of Local Government was not involved in the procurement process, thereby leading to problems such as missing management contracts, poor supervision, and lack of proper records for DRIP machinery.

He was answering a question from a member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Mahama Shaibu, on concerns about the implementation and ownership of the DRIP initiative.

Appearing before the committee, the Minister designate outlined his vision for the ministry and plans to address the challenges confronting sanitation, local governance, and the complex dynamics between Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Members of Parliament (MPs).

Responding to a question posed by the former Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, on the inadequate human resources and other matters relating to the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), Mr Ibrahim said when approved, his administration would work together with stakeholders and former ministers to convert the ILGS into a university as was started by the previous government.

He said, “Considering the increasing number of students applying to the few universities in the country, there is the need for more universities. Therefore, I assure you that we will pursue this initiative”.

On the issue of waste management contracts, Mr Ibrahim stressed the need to shift focus from awarding contracts to strengthening supervision and monitoring at the local level. 

Decentralising waste management contracts  

He said by empowering local authorities to oversee waste management, the country could achieve better outcomes and reduce inefficiencies.

Mr Ibrahim said, “Although I am not privy to the specifics of existing waste management contracts, I can confirm that waste management is inherently a municipal function. Globally, municipalities handle waste management as a core responsibility”.

In Ghana, he said, the Sanitation Ministry’s duties could be better integrated within the Ministry of Local Government since local government structures already existed in every district.

Conflict resolution

Addressing the long-standing issue or tension between MMDCEs and Members of Parliament (MP), the Minister designate said he would facilitate regular meetings between MMDCEs and MPs to foster the understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities.

He said, “I will also not tolerate any MMDCE disrespecting an MP, nor will I allow MPs to undermine MMDCEs. Respect and collaboration are key”.

”If either party focuses on the other’s privileges or resources, conflicts will arise. This misunderstanding of roles has been the root cause of tensions between the two,” he said.

Addressing concerns about how to manage the complexity of the portfolio effectively, Mr Ibrahim said the merging of three ministries into one would involve a structural realignment, adding that,” Each department — sanitation, chieftaincy, and local governance — will have dedicated coordinators, while the overall supervision will be handled by a Chief Director”.

He said his role would be to ensure effective supervision, ethical governance, and seamless collaboration among the departments.

Property rate

Mr Ibrahim said when given the nod, his administration would decentralise the property rate and empower MMDAs to collect it.

“With collective efforts from MPs, chiefs and opinion leaders, this can be implemented effectively,” he added.

He said, “Since 2009, every Minister of Local Government has emphasised the importance of property rate as a low-hanging fruit to improve MMDAs’ funding.

He said although the policy was later suspended, centralising the property rate, however, stripped MMDAs of this duty.

He said the development of the local economy was one of the core mandates of the MMDAs.

Mr Ibrahim said his administration would collaborate with stakeholders and former ministers, regardless of their political party, to bring strategies and policies to support the vision of the President to improve the local economy in every district.

“This will leverage the comparative natural advantages of the various districts, as they are not all the same,” he added.