The Head of Ghana’s Local Government Service, Prof. Lord Mensah, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region to embrace discipline, data-driven governance and digital transformation as the foundation for a more professional and accountable local government system.
Addressing management and staff at the Effutu Municipal Assembly during a regional tour on Friday, February 13, 2026, Prof. Mensah described the moment as “decisive” for the Service, urging officials to reset standards and rebuild public trust through measurable performance and ethical leadership.
Since assuming office in June 2025, he said his administration has prioritized streamlining internal processes, strengthening institutional systems and improving human resource management to enhance nationwide service delivery.
Prof. Mensah outlined a four-point reform strategy anchored on data integrity, professionalism, partnerships and fiscal decentralization.
First, he stressed that postings, promotions and resource allocations must be guided strictly by credible data to eliminate perceptions of favouritism. “Decisions must be transparent, objective and defensible,” he told staff, insisting that data is fundamental to responsive governance.
Second, he called for deeper professionalism within the Service, urging officers to respect reporting lines, uphold discipline and adhere to ethical standards. Local governance, he emphasized, is ultimately about delivering tangible development outcomes for citizens.
Third, he encouraged Assemblies and Regional Coordinating Councils to expand public–private partnerships (PPPs) to address infrastructure deficits and fiscal constraints.
Fourth, he advocated stronger financial management systems at the local level to advance fiscal decentralization, transparency and accountability.
While acknowledging progress in parts of the region, Prof. Mensah raised concerns about punctuality, weak departmental leadership and disregard for supervisory authority. Official working hours, he reminded staff, are “non-negotiable.”
He also condemned reports of unlawful alterations to officers’ dates of birth in official records, describing the practice as criminal and warning that offenders would face administrative and legal sanctions.
The Head of Service further directed Assemblies to adhere strictly to established administrative channels and avoid bypassing supervisory authorities in official correspondence.
Prof. Mensah highlighted the chronic under-resourcing of departments such as Social Welfare, Community Development, Agriculture and Environmental Health. Many operate from deteriorating facilities and lack essential logistics, he noted.
He urged Municipal and District Chief Executives to integrate departmental action plans into annual budgets and prioritise logistics for fieldwork, including motorbikes and supervisory visits.
“These departments are at the frontline of community development, child protection and agricultural growth,” he said. “We cannot neglect them.”
A key highlight of the tour was the announcement of a landmark partnership under the Local Government Service Information Technology Infrastructure and Systems Improvement Programme (LITISIP).
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with Celltel Networks Limited, will provide internet connectivity to Regional Coordinating Councils and MMDAs at no initial cost. The programme is expected to strengthen digital platforms including Smart Workplace, the LGS Human Resource Management Information System and the District Development Data Platform.
Describing the move as the creation of a “digital backbone” for local governance, Prof. Mensah said improved connectivity would streamline workflows, enhance transparency and modernise administrative processes.
An e-learning platform is also set to be introduced, with a target of at least 40 hours of annual training per staff member. He cautioned that capacity-building funds must be used strictly for training purposes.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Mensah urged closer collaboration between political and administrative leadership at the local level, warning that mistrust and institutional tension undermine service delivery.
He invited Assemblies to openly share achievements, challenges and utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund, as well as proposals to strengthen governance outcomes.
In a welcome address, the Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu, Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, commended the Head of Service for his reform agenda and for personally engaging staff to boost productivity and institutional performance.
The tour of the Central Region forms part of a broader nationwide engagement with local authorities, a campaign widely viewed as a pivotal step toward redefining Ghana’s local governance architecture.
Story By: Charles Baah Aboagye
Picture Credit: Emmanuel Agosu
ISD- Effutu Municipal Assembly
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