Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has said government has worked to improve resource allocation to traditional authorities to enable them to organise meetings and resolve chieftaincy conflicts.
He says the Ministry remains committed to working closely with the Chieftaincy institution to strengthen traditional governance, promote cultural heritage and enhance religious harmony.
Speaking at the 2026 Asogli Yam Festival, known as Asogli Teza, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Ayariga said the invaluable role of chiefs, queen mothers and religious leaders in national development cannot be overstated.
“We recognise the invaluable role of chiefs, queen mothers, and religious leaders in nurturing honesty, guiding purpose, and promoting peace in our nation,” he said.
Explaining what government has done since assuming office, he said efforts have been made to resource traditional authorities to make their leadership a smooth one.
“Since the assumption of office of this government, we have worked to improve resource allocation to traditional authorities to enable them to organize meetings and resolve chieftaincy conflicts,” he stated.
According to him, the Ministry will work with MMDCEs to ensure Assemblies support Traditional Councils, stressing the need for budgetary provision for their effective functioning.
“Indeed, let me indicate that in the coming year, I will work with our Municipal, District, and Chief Executives to see how every Assembly can make budgetary provision for the functioning, the smooth functioning, and effective functioning of their various Traditional Councils,” he said.
He said government is continuing the construction and upgrading of office complexes for Houses of Chiefs, particularly in newly created regions, to provide modern working environments.
“This infrastructure will ensure that our traditional institutions have a modern environment to perform their constitutional functions,” he added.
He said chiefs and queen mothers are deeply connected to their communities, highlighting their understanding of local history and aspirations and the importance of collaboration between traditional authorities and Assemblies.
“They understand the history, customs, aspirations, and challenges of their people. They therefore have an important role to play in mobilising communities, promoting peace, supporting development initiatives, and encouraging citizens to participate in local development,” he noted.
Touching on accountability, he said President John Dramani Mahama has directed Assemblies to account to the people, following his Accounting to the People tours.
“His Excellency the President has directed all Municipal, District, and Metropolitan Assemblies that he has already conducted the Accounting to the People tour in their regions to similarly hold Municipal, District, and Metropolitan accountability series,” he said.
He said Assemblies must now carry out statutory meetings and air deliberations on local FM stations in local languages, explaining that citizens must follow what happens in their Assemblies.
“We at the Ministry have also directed that all Municipal, District, and Metropolitan Assemblies must carry out the statutory meetings that are required in the Local Government Act and that henceforth all Assembly meetings must be aired on the local FM station in the local language of the people of that district,” he added.
This year’s celebration also marked the 23rd Anniversary of the ascension of Togbe Afede XIV, as Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State.
Gov’t cannot develop Ghana alone; development is shared responsibility – Ayariga
