The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has commended the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for producing the first-ever Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Reports for all 261 districts in Ghana.

In his opening remarks at the launch on Wednesday, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, highlighted the significance of these reports for effective evidence-based planning and implementation.

He emphasised that the MPI Reports will serve as essential tools for targeting beneficiaries of various programmes and projects, ensuring balanced development across rural and urban areas.

“The release of these reports demonstrates the GSS's dedication to providing comprehensive data for effective evidence-based planning and implementation,” he said.

He underscored the importance of these reports in monitoring local-level development progress and eliminating poverty throughout Ghana.

Mr Assafuah also urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to utilise the reports to guide their developmental strategies.

He referenced Section 12 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), noting that the reports are crucial for fulfilling their mandates.

The MPI Reports are expected to be a strategic resource, providing baseline data that will help reduce poverty and food insecurity in the short, medium, and long term.

The data is therefore anticipated to inspire and inform policymaking for targeted interventions aimed at minimising and eliminating poverty, particularly at the sub-national level.

The launch of these district-level disaggregated reports, Mr Assafuah believes marks a significant step towards achieving sustainable development goals and improving the quality of life for all Ghanaians.