Minister-designate for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim reveals missing records of GH₵3.5bn DRIP project

The Minister-designate for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, revealed significant gaps in the management of the GH₵3.5 billion District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) during his appearance before Parliament's Appointments Committee on January 21, 2025.

Mr Ibrahim revealed the Ministry lacks any documentation or inventory of DRIP machines procured through the Office of the President. "No district chief executive or ministry worker can show you any agreement of the DRIP project," he told the committee.

The programme, funded through Common Fund arrears from 2018 to 2022, was meant to improve district roads nationwide.

However, Mr Ibrahim said it lacks basic requirements like management contracts, spare parts arrangements and proper oversight committees. Parts of the funding also remain unpaid.

"DRIP was a good concept that politics destroyed at birth," Ibrahim said. Despite these challenges, he pledged to work with former ministers across party lines to salvage the programme.

On district development, Ibrahim plans to boost local revenue through property rate collection. He opposed recent attempts to centralise this function, saying districts must control their own resources.

"When given the nod, we will team up with former ministers, regardless of party, to support the President's vision of improving local economies based on each district's natural advantages," he said.

The nominee also promised to revive the University of Local Governance Bill that expired with the previous Parliament. This would upgrade the Institute of Local Government Studies to address staffing shortages in the sector.