Multidimensional Poverty Index will ensure good governance – Dep. Min.

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has highlighted the significance of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report.

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, at the launch of the report on Wednesday, June 19, expressed confidence in the report, which will help evidence-based planning and implementation.

He emphasised that the MPI Reports will serve as essential tools for targeting beneficiaries of various programmes and projects, ensuring balanced development across rural and urban areas.

“The release of these reports demonstrates the GSS’s dedication to providing comprehensive data for effective evidence-based planning and implementation,” he said.

He underscored the importance of these reports in monitoring local-level development progress and eliminating poverty throughout Ghana.

Mr Assafuah also urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to utilise the reports to guide their developmental strategies.

He referenced Section 12 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), noting that the reports are crucial for fulfilling their mandates.

The MPI Reports are expected to be a strategic resource, providing baseline data that will help reduce poverty and food insecurity in the short, medium, and long term.

The data is therefore anticipated to inspire and inform policymaking for targeted interventions aimed at minimising and eliminating poverty, particularly at the sub-national level.

Mr Assafuah believes the launch of these district-level disaggregated reports marks a significant step towards achieving sustainable development goals and improving the quality of life for all Ghanaians.

He commended the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for producing the first-ever Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Reports for all 261 districts in Ghana.