Mahama’s Chieftaincy And Local Government Reforms Hailed As ATransformative Shift For Grassroots Development

Aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edem Segbefia, has pleased with the local government and chieftaincy sector reforms initiated by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, re-design them as a remarkable change that has transformed Ghana’s local government and chieftaincy section and better advantage the lives of normal populaces in changing the narratives.

 Dr. Edem Segbefia argument with the political party grassroots representatives during an interactive visit to the Upper west region. 

Dr. Edem Segbefia admitted that before Jan 2025, Local Government was broke, distant, ineffective, Chieftaincy was disrespected and powerless.

 Communities in North East and Upper East felt abandoned because the two institutions closest to them had no money, no logistics, and no voice.

 The sector continues with weak and underfunded assemblies, poor planning and project abandonment, weak accountability and poor service delivery, chieftaincy sidelined and disrespected, no local economic drive, poor data, poor coordination, financial collapse of MMD. 

Dr Edem Segbefia attempted to himself to change the narrative and established the following as success story to establish his proof.

He mentioned that since returning to office, President Mahama’s focus has been “power to the people, authority with responsibility.” 

The local government and chieftaincy sector is being repositioned to deliver development from the ground up, with respect for our traditional leadership. District assemblies common fund is being released on time and tracked, so MMDAs can plan and execute projects without waiting endlessly. 

Assemblies in Upper East, North East, and across Ghana are receiving vehicles, motorbikes, and office equipment to improve monitoring and service delivery. District medium-term development plans are now aligned with community needs feeder roads, markets, health posts, water points.

 Better collaboration between MMDCEs, MPs, departments, and agencies to avoid duplication and project abandonment.

MMDCEs are being assessed on delivery, not just presence and poor-performing districts are being supported or reshuffled. 

Dr. Edem Segbefia stated that assemblies are being trained to improve IGF collection, so they are not 100% dependent on Central Government.

Traditional Councils and Houses of Chiefs are receiving support for administration, dispute resolution, and record-keeping. 

Chiefs are formally engaged in planning, land administration, sanitation, and community mobilization. Fast intervention in chieftaincy and land disputes to prevent conflict and keep communities stable for development. 

Assemblies are helping to identify land, provide permits, and link local entrepreneurs to government programs. 

Labour-intensive projects like feeder roads, drains, and school blocks are prioritizing artisans and youth from the district. More sub-district structures and zonal councils are functional, so citizens don’t have to travel far. 

Assemblies are being supported with equipment and community education to keep towns clean. The local government and chieftaincy can benefit NDC grassroots. 

Development is now local when your Assembly has money, a vehicle, and a plan, projects start in your town, not only in Accra.

Dr. Edem Segbefia stated that feeder roads, CHPS compounds, markets, and boreholes are now decided with community input. Chiefs and opinion leaders are NDC Allies Again when government respects chiefs, they help mobilize land, peace, and people for NDC programs.

 The peaceful communities attract projects. Direct jobs and contracts for comrades’ assembly projects hire local masons, welders, suppliers, and labourers. 

That money circulates in the branch, market women, transporters, and artisans benefit when markets and roads are improved. A functional assembly means NDC executives have something to show every quarter. Chiefs who see respect and development from NDC become neutral or supportive during elections. 

Dr. Edem Segbefia maintained that the NDC grassroots in North East & Upper East can take advantage of the functional local government and chieftaincy sector. 

Be present when district plans are discussed roads, water, market sheds, school blocks.

From branch project monitoring teams to track what is awarded, what is paid, and what is completed. Work with your chiefs and traditional councils respect, results, Support then inform your chief about NDC projects in the area.

 Chiefs who feel respected mobilize their subjects. Work with chiefs to release land for markets, schools, health posts, and factories without conflict.

Give MMDCEs and coordinating directors lists of NDC artisans, suppliers, and youth for assembly contracts and labour.

 Organize comrades to take part in IGF collection, waste management, and environmental health teams. Use local government as your campaign tool quarterly “NDC delivery report” in every Constituency, MP, MMDCE, executives should report completed projects to the people. 

Regular courtesy calls with project updates. Let the chief tell his people “NDC is working.” Own the peace agenda be agents of peace in chieftaincy and land matters.

 A peaceful North East and Upper East means more schools, clinics, and roads from government. Report early signs of conflict so regional coordinating council and chieftaincy ministry can intervene fast. 

Finally, Comrade, President Mahama is returning power and resources to the district, and dignity to our chiefs. When Assemblies work and chiefs are respected, development is faster, peace is deeper, and NDC’s base is stronger. 

That is how we turn local government into local votes, and traditional authority into national victory. The prestige of belonging to the ruling NDC is that we are the party that returned power to the district and dignity to our chiefs.

When your assembly has money to tar a road in Wa, when your Chief sits in a planning meeting in Nandom, when your youth gets a contract in Lambussie that is NDC delivering. 

This gives us massive opportunities to stay in power for long, because local government and chieftaincy are the essential centre of every community.

 The result for Upper West grassroots, love from the people, because the critical challenges are resolved. Because local government and chieftaincy are directly benefiting from NDC power. 

Smiles on, Jubilation together, because development is now seen in our towns, markets, and palaces. Glory belongs to the people, and it belongs to the grassroots who stood firm for NDC. Comrade, go to every branch, every community, every palace and declare:

 “NDC has brought power home. NDC has respected our chiefs. NDC is building from the district up.”