Mahama directs Local Government Ministry to establish framework for Chiefs, Assemblies to monitor projects
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Local Government to develop a formal framework that will enable traditional rulers and district assemblies to jointly monitor government development projects across the country.
The directive was issued during a meeting with members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs at the Presidency, where the President emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between traditional authorities and local government institutions to improve accountability and development outcomes.
According to Mahama, regular coordination between chiefs and district assemblies will help address one of the biggest frustrations among citizens — the gap between projects announced and projects completed.
“I’m therefore directing the Minister for Local Government to create a framework where traditional rulers and district assemblies can meet occasionally to review the progress of work on critical infrastructure that government is undertaking in your various traditional areas and districts,” he said.
The President explained that the proposed arrangement would include regular coordination meetings, project monitoring mechanisms, and joint visits by district chief executives and traditional rulers to project sites to assess progress and quality of work.
“There should be regular coordination meetings and project monitoring mechanisms where the district assemblies, district chief executives and the traditional rulers physically go to the sites of development projects to review the state of work and monitor progress,” Mahama stated.
He noted that involving chiefs in project supervision would significantly improve transparency, accountability, and quality assurance in government projects because traditional leaders remain closest to the people and understand local realities.
Mahama praised the Northern Regional House of Chiefs for proposing a partnership model focused not only on making requests to government but also on shared responsibility and co-ownership of development initiatives.
“For far too long, governments across Africa have underutilized one of the continent’s most enduring institutions traditional leadership,” he said.
The President reiterated that his administration sees chiefs as strategic partners in governance, peacebuilding, social mobilization, and national development rather than merely ceremonial figures.
He also revealed that government is reviewing constitutional reform proposals that could potentially grant chiefs a greater role in local governance and administration.
Mahama assured the chiefs that the government remains committed to decentralization, citizen participation, and inclusive governance as part of its national reset agenda.
