Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has set an ambitious deadline: transform the capital into a cleaner and better-lit city by December 2025.
Speaking at the launch of a GH¢2 billion (approximately $167 million) decentralisation fund, Mr. Ibrahim issued a directive to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Greater Accra Region to deliver tangible results on sanitation and public lighting within the next three months.
“From Sakumono to Kasoa, Kaneshie to Circle, and the police headquarters—the only functional street lighting we found was at Jubilee House and the police HQ,” Mr. Ibrahim said, highlighting the capital's deteriorating public infrastructure. “At night, Accra is in darkness. By day, it’s plagued by filth.”
The Minister said a revised strategy has been implemented to fast-track improvements in sanitation and illumination. “This is not going to be business as usual,” he said. “Accountability will be mandatory, not optional.”
The decentralisation fund is expected to empower local governments to address infrastructure deficits more directly, with particular emphasis on basic services such as waste management and street lighting. The Minister's remarks come amid rising concerns from residents and businesses over public safety and urban hygiene.
Mr. Ibrahim’s timeline, while bold, reflects growing pressure on government officials to deliver visible improvements ahead of the December 2025 milestone.
