The Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) on Decentralisation has held a high-level policy dialogue to deepen collaboration between the Government of Ghana and development partners.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, focused on improving decentralisation efforts nationwide.

Key participants included the sector Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Deputy Minister Hon. Rita Naa Odoley-Sowah, and Swiss SECO Head of Operations, Mr. Philipp Orga.

Also present were Swiss Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Simone Giger, NDPC Director-General Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, and Head of Civil Service Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance, GIZ, KfW Development Bank, and the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) also joined discussions.

In his opening remarks, the executive secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, stated that “We have called this high-level meeting to strengthen the relationship between the Government of Ghana and the Governments of Switzerland and Germany, particularly under the DACF–RFG programme.

“We want to build on the existing relationship in support of Ghana’s decentralisation and development priorities and in recognition of resilient support of both Switzerland and Germany, the only countries who are currently supporting the DACF-RFG, a programme which has enabled the construction of over 3000 infrastructural projects across the 261 MMDA’s.”

The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, underscored the importance the Government of Ghana places on decentralisation, adding, “The President prioritizes decentralisation.” He noted, “The President is deeply committed to advancing decentralisation through several key reforms: the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on a non-partisan basis to strengthen accountability and enhance citizen participation; a progressive increase in the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) from 5% to 7.5% to expand the fiscal space available to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

“The finalisation and passage of the District Assemblies Borrowing Bill to empower assemblies to mobilise resources for development; and the deepened inclusion of Traditional Authorities and Religious Leaders to ensure their meaningful involvement in local governance.”

Ambassador Simone Giger reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to the decentralisation agenda, stating, “In our new Cooperation Programme with Ghana, Local Governance and Decentralisation is one of the three priority areas. We believe in the President’s vision and the Minister’s commitment.”

The meeting concluded with the symbolic signing of the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and Ghana with a mutual commitment to scale up cooperation, enhance capacity building, and align decentralisation efforts with Ghana’s national development goals.