Minister urges collaboration between traditional leaders, local government

Thehe Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs , Ahmed Ibrahim, has called for stronger collaboration between traditional authorities and local government institutions to advance sustainable development and preserve peace in communities across the country.

He said the recent merger of the Ministry of Local Government with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was intended to forge this collaboration, describing the merger as a strategic reform to deepen synergy between the country’s indigenous governance systems and modern administrative structures.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa, Mr Ibrahim further explained that the merger formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which sought to eliminate administrative overlaps, promote coordination and ensure that traditional leadership remained an integral part of the country’s development process.

“Our Chiefs remain the first point of contact for conflict resolution, community mobilisation and the preservation of peace and unity,” he said. 
“Likewise, local government institutions serve as the administrative agents of development, responsible for service delivery, planning and implementation.”

Enhanced coordination

The minister explained that the new structure of the ministry would strengthen linkages between traditional councils and district assemblies for better coordination and resource sharing;enhance communication and data flow between traditional and local administrative systems;facilitate joint community development projects led by Chiefs and Assemblies; and improve efficiency in public service delivery at the grassroots level.

“This is not merely a bureaucratic realignment. It is a transformational reform that ensures traditional authority remains an active and integral partner in Ghana’s national development agenda.”

Visit, deliberations

The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, under the leadership of its President, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, welcomed the minister and his delegation.

Present at the meeting were the members of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, some government officials and stakeholders from various local government agencies.

A major issue raised during the discussions was the amendment of Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, aimed at granting chiefs enhanced authority to summon individuals or groups within their jurisdiction.

The proposed amendment seeks to enable chiefs to fast-track accountability, maintain order and uphold traditional values within their communities.

Chieftaincy Disputes

Responding to concerns raised, Mr Ibrahim acknowledged their relevance and assured the house that the ministry was considering inputs from traditional authorities in ongoing consultations on the proposed amendment.

Touching on security issues , Mr Ibrahim expressed deep concern over the recent rise in chieftaincy-related conflicts in the Greater Accra Region

“In recent months , six incidents of chieftaincy-related violence have been recorded, resulting in the loss of eight lives — with Teshie and Sowutuom alone accounting for four lives each,” he revealed, and appealed to the chiefs to work closely with the government to find lasting solutions to such conflicts.

The minister assured the chiefs that government, through his ministry, had initiated several measures to strengthen traditional governance and expedite dispute resolution, including reviewing the Chieftaincy Act; providing resources to Regional Houses of Chiefs and Traditional Councils; and organising capacity-building programmes for Judicial Committees to enhance adjudication of chieftaincy cases.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, expressed her excitement about the meeting and commended the leadership of Nii Odaifio Welentsi III and the House for their commitment to national progress.

She emphasised that lasting development could only be achieved when government institutions and traditional authorities worked hand in hand.

House

The House, led by its President, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, expressed profound appreciation for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of respect and recognition of the pivotal role of the Chieftaincy Institution in governance, peacebuilding and national development.

He also emphasised the importance of positioning the chieftaincy institution as a critical stakeholder in national development efforts.

Nii Welentsi III assured the minister of the house’s readiness to support government initiatives that advanced the welfare and development of their people.