Collaborate with Traditional Authorities to Boost Local Industries- Minister Urges MMDAs
The Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deepen collaboration with traditional authorities within their jurisdictions to promote rural industrialization and reduce youth unemployment.
The Minister made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Edition of the Made-in-Ghana Business Summit, held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The event was organized under the theme: “Made-in-Ghana Products and Services: A Catalyst for Regional Industrialisation and Business Integration.”
The summit brought together a cross-section of stakeholders from government institutions, academia, the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Discussions focused on Ghana’s positioning within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, and the need to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses.

In his address, Hon. Ibrahim stressed that local governments must play a pivotal role in driving the nation’s industrial agenda.
He underscored the importance of leveraging existing structures such as Business Resource Centres (BRCs) to provide technical and financial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“The operationalisation of BRCs, backed by strategic use of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), offers a transformative opportunity for MSMEs to standardise their operations, scale up production, and actively compete within the regional market,” he said.
He further advocated for closer cooperation between MMDAs, traditional authorities, and young innovators, noting that such synergy was critical to unlocking the full potential of local industries.
“Our traditional leaders are custodians of culture, land, and local knowledge systems. Their involvement in industrialisation efforts can facilitate access to land, mobilise community support, and ensure the sustainability of local enterprises,” Hon. Ibrahim stated.
The Minister also challenged MMDAs to design and implement development plans that reflect local economic priorities and to actively support youth-led businesses as a means of addressing unemployment and poverty.
The Made-in-Ghana Business Summit is an annual event aimed at promoting local production and consumption, strengthening public-private partnerships, and encouraging investment in indigenous enterprises. This year’s edition featured panel discussions, exhibitions of locally made products, and business networking sessions.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both public and private sector players to collaborate in creating a thriving industrial base in Ghana that is inclusive, resilient, and regionally competitive.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com