Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq, Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), has delivered a statement on behalf of the Ministry at the launch of the Homowo Clean-Up Exercise, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to a cleaner and healthier Accra in preparation for the Homowo Festival.

The event saw the participation of H.R.M. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, regional ministers, members of parliament, and development partners.

Hon. Assafuah Esq emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to providing resources to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for maintaining clean cities.

He highlighted the ongoing “Clean your Frontage” campaign and commended King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II for his leadership in prioritizing cleanliness during the festival.

"The Homowo Festival is a reflection of our rich cultural heritage, symbolizing resilience and community spirit," said Hon. Assafuah Esq.

He called for active participation from citizens, traditional leaders, and community groups in the clean-up exercise, stressing that cleanliness and sanitation are vital to national development, public health, and tourism.

Hon. Assafuah Esq also urged the adoption of sustainable practices beyond the festival, emphasizing proper waste management and recycling. He concluded with a message of collective effort and commitment towards a prosperous Ghana.

"Afi oooo Afi. Thank you for your collective efforts, and may our commitment lead to a prosperous Ghana. God bless us all," he stated.

Source:     Darling Maame Efua Cann

                 (Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD)

The Ghana anti- Corruption Coalition (GACC) in a bid to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts is set to embark on a comprehensive survey across some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

The survey according to GACC aims at assessing the prevalence of corruption in the public sector, gauge citizen and business experiences with corruption, evaluate awareness and utilization of anti-corruption resources and to inform data-driven anti-corruption strategies.

The survey, which is set to kickstart within the month of June,2024, will cover Nzema East, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ashanti Akyem central, Tamale Metro, and Ho municipal.

These were made known when the GACC paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisaton and Rural Development (MLGDRD).

The Coalition has assured the Ministry of Local Government Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) and the general public of the survey’s confidentiality and anonymity, encouraging maximum participation.

The survey is seen as a significant step towards tackling corruption in Ghana, which has been a longstanding challenge for the country.

The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the nature and extent of corruption, ultimately informing effective solutions.

In a significant stride towards understanding and addressing poverty, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq, launched Ghana's first Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) at Alisa Hotel, Accra.

The event, graced by high-profile attendees including Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, Government Statistician, and Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Director-General for the National Development Planning Commission, marked a pivotal moment in the country's approach to poverty measurement and reduction.

Hon. Assafuah Esq emphasized the importance of viewing poverty through a multidimensional lens rather than solely through income levels. He highlighted that the MPI would foster increased interest and dialogue on aligning microdata, statistics, and policy to more effectively combat poverty.

The Deputy Minister noted that while Ghana made significant strides in poverty reduction during the early 21st century, recent global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic have reversed some of these gains. He stressed the need for coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches to address the complex and interconnected drivers of poverty.

He revealed that the latest data indicates a positive economic recovery with GDP growth and reduced inflation rates. However, he acknowledged that despite these improvements, substantial challenges remain, as evidenced by the modest reduction in poverty rates relative to GDP growth.

Hon. Assafuah Esq lauded the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for its dedication in producing the MPI reports, which are crucial for evidence-based planning and implementation at local levels. The reports will assist in targeting beneficiaries for various programs and projects, and provide baseline data to monitor local development progress.

The MPI reports, according to Hon. Assafuah Esq, will support the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025 and the monitoring of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He urged MMDCEs and officers to leverage these reports to guide their developmental strategies.

Hon. Assafuah Esq reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to ensuring that MMDAs utilize the MPI reports to inform policy and design effective interventions. He called on all stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society, and the private sector, to collaborate in this mission to alleviate poverty and improve food security for vulnerable households.

Source:     Darling Maame Efua Cann

                 (Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD)