The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, has said Ghana is committed to aligning with international conventions and agreements that impact local governance and decentralisation, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Charter on Decentralisation.

Speaking at the Maiden International Conference On Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Sustainable Development held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Institute of Local Government Studies, Accra, the minister said while there is still room for improvement in this regard, the commitment to attain the height of it is on course. "It is instructive to note that, progress towards achieving democratic decentralisation for inclusive and accountable local governance, improved public service provision and local development has been relatively slow in the country.

I am very happy to be part of this conference, as it marks a significant milestone in our quest to deepen local governance and decentralisation in Ghana.

Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate the Director of Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), Prof.

Prof.

Chairman, The Theme for this Conference, "Deepening Decentralisation and Local Governance to Foster Inclusive and Democratic Governance for Sustainable Development", resonates appropriately with contemporary issues on local governance and decentralisation in Ghana and across the globe.

Thus, for us in Ghana, the renaming of the Ministry responsible for the sector as the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development pursuant to Executive Instrument 12, 2021 (E.I.

Prof.

The increased size of local government units has made it easier for government and services to be delivered effectively and efficiently to the residents in relatively small jurisdictions.

Prof.

Prof.

Chairman, It is instructive to note that, progress towards achieving democratic decentralisation for inclusive and accountable local governance, improved public service provision and local development has been relatively slow in the country.

In all of these, local governments are continuously being pursued to do more for their localities, even in times of dwindling finances and constant public scrutiny.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, At the policy level, Government of Ghana, is committed to delivering on the expected mandates to ameliorate the challenges and difficulties faced by the people of this country.

Prof.

Chairman Permit me to bring your attention to Article 245(a) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which envisages District Assemblies (DAs) as the places in which local developments are initiated, planned, implemented and realised.

The goal of the Policy is to promote a conducive environment at the district level for sustained local business growth, decent employment opportunities, and economic empowerment for all Ghanaians.

Growing the economy from below through the promotion of local economic development is the surest way to better build back our economy for jobs and inclusive growth.

Let me state without any equivocation that H.E the President has reiterated his desire to work for a broad, national consensus on local governance reforms and bring back the matter to the front burner of the nation's public discourse for the necessary action, in due time if there is any indication that there is consensus.

It is the intention of the Ministry to revisit the unfinished agenda towards legal reforms to facilitate the election of MMDCEs and this has found expression in our 2024 Manifesto as well as the Manifesto of the Opposition Party.

I have accordingly requested the Institute to create platforms for series of breakfast meetings with varied stakeholders to understand their positions on these major Constitutional reforms to deepen local democracy and inclusive governance and further aggregate these positions for the consideration of the President.

We believe the value-based leadership of chiefs is useful for promoting responsible leadership and citizenship in our local governance area.

In the same vein, may I use this opportunity to indicate the need to rethink and brainstorm on the use of Local Areas as against the status quo Electoral Areas as it pertains in other jurisdictions.

This Conference, which brings together ideas, concepts and principles on sustainable development, good local governance and decentralisation is surely the opportune time to begin conversations regarding the aforementioned areas of concern to us as government.

The establishment of both the Local Government Service (LGS) and the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in 2003 was intended to address capacity deficiencies of the human resources of local governments.

Therefore, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), will continue to support processes that would seek to promote capacity building in all forms to provide the needed human capital for effective local governance and decentralisation.

It is remarkable to note that the ILGS from its humble beginnings in 1999 as a project of the then Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, to its establishment in 2003 under the Institute of Local Government Studies Act, 2003 (Act 647); has been transformed into a specialised public management development institution.

Today's conference is a further in the cup of the Institute and the transformation of the Institute has been remarkable.

Prof.

Prof.