{
  "id": 8002329,
  "title": "Mahama urges chiefs to partner DCEs to drive development at district level",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/mahama-urges-chiefs-to-partner-dces-to-drive-development-at-district",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T10:08:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/mahama-urges-chiefs-to-partner-dces-to-drive-development-at-district-level/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has called on traditional leaders to work alongside District Chief Executives (DCEs) to drive development at the district level in Ghana. During a meeting with the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Mahama emphasized that chiefs play a vital role in their communities and are ideally positioned to contribute to grassroots development. He suggested that reforms being considered in the 1992 Constitution could grant traditional authorities a more significant role in Ghana's decentralization process and participation in District Assemblies. Mahama urged chiefs to collaborate closely with DCEs to ensure that public resources allocated to districts are effectively used and result in tangible projects and improved services for local communities. In line with this, the President announced plans to establish 24-hour markets in all of Ghana's 261 districts. These markets aim to stimulate economic activity by providing farmers and traders with modern spaces to sell their produce, with projects already underway in several parts of the country, including the Ahafo Region. Mahama also highlighted the government's commitment to accelerating development in Ghana's six newly created regions, including Ahafo. He noted that several road projects in the Ahafo Region have been included in the Big Push infrastructure program, with further projects planned for upcoming phases. Mahama assured the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs that the government will continue to engage traditional authorities as crucial partners in promoting economic growth, local development, and effective governance, underscoring that their cooperation remains essential for aligning development initiatives with the needs and priorities of communities nationwide.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has urged traditional authorities to play a more active role in district-level governance and development, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between chiefs, government and District Chief Executives (DCEs). President Mahama made the call when he engaged the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs at the Presidency, where he said traditional rulers […]",
  "key_points": [
    "President Mahama urges chiefs to partner DCEs for district-level development in Ghana.",
    "Chiefs positioned to contribute to grassroots development and public resource management.",
    "Government plans 24-hour markets in all 261 districts to stimulate economic activity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}