By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
A high-level Zambian delegation has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, to study Ghana’s progress in civil registration and decentralized governance.
The visit centered on innovations at the Births and Deaths Registry, Ghana’s push toward digitalization, and the country’s decentralization system, which has been critical in providing citizens with legal identity while improving access to healthcare, education and social protection.
Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim said Ghana’s success in digitalizing civil registration demonstrates how governance reforms can translate into real benefits for citizens.
“Our priority is to make sure every Ghanaian is captured in the national database. Without legal identity, citizens cannot fully access health, education or social protection. Digitalization and decentralization are helping us close that gap,” the Minister emphasized.
The leader of the Zambian delegation, Dr. Beatrice Mwansa, expressed appreciation for Ghana’s openness in sharing lessons.
“We are impressed with how Ghana has linked its Births and Deaths Registry with social services. This model shows us how digital tools and local government structures can work together to strengthen citizen participation,” she noted.
She added that Zambia hopes to adapt aspects of Ghana’s system to improve its own service delivery, particularly in rural areas where access to registration remains a challenge.
Hon. Ibrahim further stressed that exchanges like this are vital for strengthening African cooperation.
“When African countries learn from one another, we avoid repeating mistakes and accelerate progress. This partnership with Zambia is another step toward building stronger governance systems across the continent,” he said.
The visit, officials said, reflects a shared commitment between Ghana and Zambia to promote transparency, inclusivity and efficiency in local governance and public service delivery.
