President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted executive approval for the upgrade of selected districts to municipalities and municipalities to metropolises, a significant move aimed at enhancing local governance and development.

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGRD) announced the upgrades in a press release on Wednesday, December 4. According to the statement, the changes were made following a request from the ministry and in accordance with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). 

Municipalities Upgraded to Metropolises  

Four municipalities have been elevated to metropolitan status:  

1. Ho Municipal Assembly becomes Ho Metropolitan Assembly.  
2. Sunyani Municipal Assembly becomes Sunyani Metropolitan Assembly.  
3. New Juaben South Municipal Assembly becomes New Juaben South Metropolitan Assembly.  
4. Wa Municipal Assembly becomes Wa Metropolitan Assembly. 

Districts Upgraded to Municipalities  

Three districts have been upgraded to municipalities:  

1. Offinso North District Assembly becomes Offinso North Municipal Assembly.  
2. Birim North District Assembly becomes Birim North Municipal Assembly.  
3. Karaga District Assembly becomes Karaga Municipal Assembly.  

Legal and Administrative Process  

The MLGRD noted that the upgrades are pending the finalisation of all necessary legal and administrative processes. The decision is expected to strengthen local governance structures and facilitate accelerated development within these areas.  

In the statement, Minister Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah emphasised that the upgrades are in line with the government's commitment to decentralisation and improving the efficiency of local governance systems. 

These changes represent a step forward in Ghana's efforts to enhance service delivery and ensure that local governments are better equipped to address the needs of their communities.  

The government will now proceed with the legal formalities to formalise the new statuses of these assemblies.