The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has urged the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to adopt innovative and practical approaches to addressing the city’s infrastructure challenges, including the redevelopment of old and dilapidated public structures into modern facilities.

Speaking during a working visit to the AMA as part of his ongoing assessment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, the Minister said that limited access to land in Accra should not be used as an excuse for slow development, especially when existing Assembly properties could be transformed into productive, modern, and revenue-generating facilities.

He said Accra, as the capital city and the country’s commercial hub, required bold planning, efficient land use and strong institutional leadership to respond to the growing needs of residents, traders and businesses.

According to him, the Assembly must look beyond traditional approaches and consider redevelopment models that would enable the city to make better use of its old markets, offices, sanitation facilities and other public infrastructure.

Welcoming the Minister and his delegation, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the visit provided an opportunity for the Assembly to present its achievements, challenges and strategic priorities.

He said he was fortunate to have experienced former city leaders and advisors around him, including former Mayor and Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency, Hon. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, adding that their guidance had strengthened the work of the Assembly.

Hon. Allotey said he believed in action rather than long speeches, and assured the Minister that the AMA was ready to account for its work and take the necessary steps to improve service delivery.

In a presentation to the delegation, the Coordinating Director of the AMA, Mr. Douglas N. K Annoful outlined the Assembly’s performance in areas including staffing, revenue mobilisation, sanitation, inherited debt, development projects, disability programmes, agriculture, support to traditional authorities, international relations, sports, culture and tourism.

On staffing, Mr Annoful reported that its IGF-paid staff population had increased from 468 in May 2025 to 926 in May 2026, with the salary commitment rising from GH¢417,645.42 to GH¢1,333,105.74.

He disclosed that monthly salaries had improved from a net of GH¢493.03 in May 2025 to GH¢805.00 as of March 2026, while daily office-to-office inspections by the Mayor had helped reduce absenteeism and lateness among staff.

Under the 2025 DACF guidelines, he said new projects included the construction of a 24-hour economy model market, continuation and furnishing of a community centre into a clinic at Chorkor Obeweku, renovation of Makola Clinic, renovation of a three-storey classroom block for Private Odartey Lamptey Basic School, drilling and mechanisation of boreholes, procurement of two double-axle compactors and procurement of school furniture.

The assessment formed part of the Ministry’s accountability series for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, aimed at reviewing how Assemblies were using resources allocated to them, particularly funds released under the District Assemblies Common Fund.