Members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have completed a two-day “Next Generation Leadership Training” program. This initiative aims to strengthen accountable, responsive, and effective local governance within the metropolis.
The training brought together elected and appointed assembly members. It focused on critical areas such as legislation, oversight, financial management, and community service delivery. This effort supports Ghana’s ongoing decentralisation process, empowering local leaders with essential skills.
This program fits into Ghana’s broader economic and political strategy to improve local government efficiency. Effective local governance is crucial for resource allocation and project implementation. It directly impacts economic development at the grassroots level. The training seeks to ensure that significant public funds allocated to local assemblies are used effectively.
National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) President Alfred Asiedu Adjei urged participants to apply their new knowledge. He stressed that leadership is about service, expecting results in sanitation, roads, health, and education. Mr. Adjei highlighted the importance of integrity and data-driven decision-making for assembly members.
The training specifically covered modules on drafting and enforcing by-laws, leadership ethics, and decentralisation laws. Participants also learned about corporate governance, financial management, and stakeholder engagement. These skills are vital for assembly members to monitor government projects and improve local revenue mobilisation. They also help in working effectively with traditional authorities.
Officials stated the program was designed to bridge knowledge gaps among assembly members. It also aims to align their work with national policy objectives and local development priorities. This ensures that local actions contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s overall progress. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, NALAG, and the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) organised the event.
Mr. Adjei further encouraged assembly members to closely monitor public funds allocated to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). He emphasised that these resources must result in tangible development. He stated, “Funds must follow functions, and that must go hand in hand with accountability.” This principle underscores the need for transparency in public spending.
He cited figures indicating that direct allocations to MMDAs in 2026 stood at approximately GHS 7.934 billion. This represents about 90.47% of the total fund. Mr. Adjei stressed that the key issue is not just the size of allocations, but their impact on communities. He reminded participants that public funds belong to the people and must be accounted for.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang, expressed appreciation for the timely training. He noted its importance as KMA rolls out key projects under the government’s 24-hour economy policy. The Mayor urged members to use their new knowledge to legislate well, supervise projects, and mobilise their communities. This will help make Kumasi clean, safe, and prosperous.
Presiding Member of KMA Patrick Kwame Frimpong also urged members to apply the lessons learned. He stated the Assembly would monitor performance in areas like attendance at sub-committee meetings and participation in town hall engagements. This focus on practical application ensures the training translates into concrete improvements. He added, “This is not training for certificates. It is training for results.”
This Kumasi program is part of a nationwide effort to retool local government actors. It precedes further decentralisation reforms and district-level elections. Similar sessions are expected across other metropolitan and municipal assemblies. This consistency in training will promote uniform local governance standards across Ghana. Participants welcomed the initiative, calling for regular refresher training to stay updated on new laws and policies.