The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for closer collaboration between government ministries and traditional authorities to accelerate development in the Ga State, particularly in agriculture, youth employment and community development.

He made the call on Monday, 28th September 2026, when the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, paid a courtesy visit to the Ga Mantse Palace.

Welcoming the Minister and his delegation, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II urged government to deepen its engagement with traditional authorities, describing chiefs as important partners in community development.

He observed that although Accra is widely regarded as an urban and cosmopolitan capital, some communities within the Ga State remain rural in character and still face challenges with infrastructure, basic amenities and economic opportunities. Closing these gaps, he said, will require sustained cooperation among government ministries, traditional authorities, development partners and other stakeholders.

Concerns on Collaboration

The Ga Mantse expressed concern about what he described as limited collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and traditional authorities, especially on agricultural programmes being implemented in communities.

He stressed that chiefs and traditional leaders should be well informed about, and involved in, government initiatives, given their close connection with their people and their ability to mobilise residents for development programmes.

He also called for stronger institutional collaboration in the development of aquaculture and other areas of agriculture, noting that government institutions must work together to get the most from these sectors. In addition, he asked for greater recognition of the role traditional authorities play in organising and promoting cultural activities, including the annual Homowo Festival.

Agriculture and Youth Employment

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II noted that agriculture holds great potential for creating jobs for young people. He urged the Ministry to strengthen programmes that support youth participation in agriculture, agribusiness and related enterprises.

He also encouraged the Ministry to build its networks at the community level and to work closely with traditional leaders to identify young people who could benefit from agricultural programmes and entrepreneurial opportunities. Such cooperation, he said, would help ensure that government initiatives reach their intended beneficiaries at the grassroots.

 Minister's Response

Hon. Eric Opoku thanked the Ga Mantse for the warm reception and assured him that the issues raised would receive the Ministry's attention. He acknowledged the importance of the partnerships proposed and gave the assurance that the Ministry would work to strengthen the necessary engagements.

The Minister also assured the Ga Mantse that the Ministry would participate in the next Homowo Festival, as part of efforts to deepen its relationship with the Ga Traditional Council and support the cultural heritage of the Ga people.

On youth unemployment, which the Ga Mantse identified as a major concern, Hon. Opoku said the matter would be given attention. He added that efforts would be made to ensure young people in the Ga State are included in initiatives that promote employment and self-employment through agriculture and related economic activities.

The visit ended on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to stronger cooperation for the development of the Ga State.