By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Local Government to develop a framework that will allow traditional rulers and district assemblies to regularly review development projects in their areas.
He said the move is aimed at improving monitoring, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of government projects across the country.
President Mahama announced this when the Northern Regional House of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House on Friday, May 15, 2026.
He explained that under the new arrangement, chiefs and district authorities will hold periodic meetings and also carry out joint inspections of project sites to assess progress.
According to the President, this approach will help bridge the gap between projects that are announced and those that are actually completed.
He noted that traditional leaders play a key role in national development, adding that no government can succeed without their support and cooperation.
President Mahama said government is committed to strengthening collaboration with chiefs as part of a broader effort to promote participatory and people-centered governance.
He also welcomed the proposal by the chiefs to move from occasional consultations to a more structured partnership with government.
The President stressed that involving traditional authorities in project monitoring will improve quality assurance and ensure that development projects deliver value to communities.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with chiefs and local authorities to accelerate development, especially in the Northern Region.
President Mahama added that the initiative forms part of his government’s broader agenda to deepen accountability and ensure that public resources are used effectively.
Touching on the economy, he said with the conclusion of the IMF Extended Credit Facility programme, government is moving into a Policy Coordination Instrument, which will create space for investment of one percent of Gross Domestic Product in key sectors, including commercial agriculture.
