The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), together with its national and international partners, has officially marked the completion of Phase One of the LoCAL-ACE Project during a Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting held on the GrEEn and LoCAL-ACE Projects.
The meeting served as a platform to reflect on the project’s implementation since its launch in 2023 across 13 districts. The LoCAL-ACE Project, designed to strengthen climate resilience at the local level—was implemented with support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in partnership with the NDPC, EPA, and Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs).
Through the project, GHS 1,396,476.00 was disbursed to finance community-led climate adaptation activities, focusing on green jobs and sustainable agriculture. A key highlight was the Cash for Work (CfW) programme, which engaged over 500 beneficiaries between July and August 2023, providing income support while promoting environmental sustainability.
Throughout the project period, the Ministry conducted regular monitoring visits, internal audits, and performance assessments to ensure transparency and accountability across the 13 Municipal and District Assemblies (M/DAs). Strategic engagements such as Project Steering Committee meetings, technical sessions, and a Needs Assessment Validation Workshop guided the process.
The TWG meeting also reviewed key milestones, including the successful handover of third-cycle sub-projects and the graduation of GrEEn Project beneficiaries in August 2024. The Project Closing and Knowledge Sharing Event held in November 2024 was highlighted as a major achievement, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, share lessons, and chart the path forward.
The project has drawn international interest, with the Royal Norwegian Embassy conducting a field visit in June 2024 to observe progress on the ground.
While challenges such as delayed reporting, funding gaps, limited private sector participation, and communication breakdowns were acknowledged, the Ministry assured that these are being addressed through improved coordination and planning.
As discussions at the TWG meeting turned to the future, preparations for Phase Two were emphasized. The next phase will focus on building district-level capacity, onboarding new Chief Executives, developing climate investment plans, and refining the performance-based financing model. Digital tools like the Digital Development Data Platform(DDDP) will be central to performance tracking and effective resource use.
LoCAL-ACE continues to stand out as a model of climate-smart local development. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and resilient local economies, ensuring no community is left behind in Ghana’s green development agenda.
Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey
(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)