By Ishmeal 
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has presented 128 brand-new vehicles to selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as part of efforts to strengthen local governance and improve service delivery across Ghana.
The vehicles comprise Haval H9 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the MMDCEs and pickup trucks to support the operational duties of Coordinating Directors at the various assemblies.
The presentation took place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Madina, Accra.
Minister Warns Against Personal Use
During the handover ceremony, Mr Ayariga cautioned the beneficiaries against using the government vehicles for personal activities unrelated to their official responsibilities.
He stressed that the vehicles were public assets provided to help local authorities supervise development projects, monitor activities within their jurisdictions and improve the delivery of essential services.
The Minister specifically warned against using the vehicles for private errands, personal business and romantic visits.
He also urged the MMDCEs to maintain the vehicles properly and handle them responsibly, noting that their conduct would influence public confidence in government and the management of public resources.
Why the Vehicles Were Provided
Mr Ayariga explained that several MMDCEs had worked for about one and a half years without official vehicles, forcing some to rely on their personal cars while others used pickups belonging to the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
He said the provision of the new vehicles would improve the mobility of local government officials and enable them to carry out their duties more effectively.
The Minister also directed MMDCEs who had been using DRIP pickups for their official work to return them as part of the handover arrangements.
More Vehicles Expected
According to the Ministry, the 128 vehicles represent the first batch of a wider distribution exercise. Additional vehicles, including pickup trucks, are expected to be made available to the remaining beneficiaries after clearance and other necessary procedures.
The rollout has prioritised areas where transportation challenges, difficult road networks and limited public transport make it harder for local authorities to carry out their duties.
Mr Ayariga also said the government was working towards providing motorcycles to assembly members to support their work in local communities.
Focus on Accountability and Development
The vehicle distribution forms part of efforts to strengthen decentralisation by equipping local assemblies with the resources needed to respond to community needs.
However, the Minister emphasised that providing vehicles and other resources must go hand in hand with responsible management and accountability.
The vehicles are expected to support field inspections, project monitoring, community engagement and other official duties aimed at improving development outcomes across the country.
Also Read:Ghanaian ManJailedIn Us Over 51435 Dollars Identity Fraud