Joseph Otsibah 
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has blamed Ghana’s developmental challenges partly on the decline of meritocracy in national institutions.
He said the country’s moral challenges intensified when competence and fairness were replaced with transactional systems where opportunities were no longer always based on ability and hard work.
Speaking at the opening session of the 2026 National Development Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Hon Ahmed Ibrahim said Ghana’s development journey requires a return to values that reward excellence and integrity.
He explained that the erosion of meritocracy has affected several sectors of society, including education, where institutions have sometimes shifted focus from character formation to competition for recognition.
“The moral decadence began when schools began seeking bragging rights. It began when meritocracy was no longer the order of the day and became transactional,” he said.
The Minister stressed that national transformation cannot happen without restoring ethical standards across institutions.
He identified Chief Directors and civil servants as critical actors in Ghana’s development process, describing them as the people who ensure government policies become reality.
He also acknowledged the role of the Church and other faith-based organisations in promoting moral renewal, describing their interventions as a source of hope for the country.
Touching on traditional leadership, he urged the strengthening of traditional institutions but cautioned against political interference that could weaken their independence.
He encouraged traditional leaders to engage his ministry on challenges affecting chieftaincy and traditional governance.
PENT NEWS.
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