A team from the World Bank, led by Madhu Ragunath, Practice Manager of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) is embarking on a 5-Day Implementation Support Mission (ISM) field visit in some northern parts of Ghana on the GSCSP.

The field visit which forms part of efforts geared towards a systematic assessment of progress of the project and ultimately ensuring its successful implementation is expected to cover the Northern, North East and Upper East regions.

On Tuesday, May 14, the team kickstarted the field visit in the Northern region by visiting the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, a beneficiary of the project and assessed them based on the interventions. Some project sites in Yendi, in the Northern region were also inspected, and recommendations given.

The project sites inspected at Yendi include the construction site of a 2-storey 60No. Lockable stores at the Yendi Central Market, Paving of walkways, Car and Lorry Park at the Yendi Central Market and a Construction of 0.45 Kumfong Link Road and the Provision of Pedestrian Lay-Bys in Yendi.

Addressing the Beneficiaries in the Northern region, the Project Manager of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), Madhu Ragunath encouraged a holistic approach to every aspect of project implementation to maximise project success.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ahmed Yussuf Abubakar in a closing remark appreciated the World Bank and the Ministry for the numerous interventions in the region and pledged unwavering commitment to ensuring a successful completion of the very project in his jurisdiction.

The development objective of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) Project is to improve urban management and basic urban services in participating Municipal Assemblies (MAs) and it is funded by a credit facility from the World Bank.

SOURCE:  SANDRA OWUSU ASAMOAH

 The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has inaugurated the Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC) and its Steering Committee. This significant milestone aims to improve metropolitan planning, operations, and maintenance across the Greater Accra Region.

The ICMC, established under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, will enhance coordination among the 17 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) in the region. This initiative addresses critical issues such as urban sprawl, flooding, and inadequate infrastructure that extend beyond the boundaries of individual MMAs.

Minister of State Osei Bonsu Amoah, representing the sector Minister Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, underscored the importance of unity and collective action in tackling these challenges. He urged the ICMC and Steering Committee members to work together to achieve their mandates, including fostering inter-jurisdictional coordination, optimizing resource use, and enhancing disaster resilience.

The Minister also highlighted the need for effective resource utilization, noting the distribution of sanitation improvement equipment and multi-purpose drones to each MMA. He encouraged the committees to hold regular meetings and approach their roles with dedication and transparency, aiming to build a resilient, integrated, and prosperous region.

This inauguration marks a critical step towards a more coordinated and effective approach to development in the Greater Accra Region. By pooling their expertise, funds, and resources, the MMAs can address the region’s complex challenges and improve the lives of its citizens.

The ICMC and Steering Committee's establishment sets a new standard for inter-jurisdictional coordination and cooperation in Ghana. As the region faces increasing urbanization and climate change-related challenges, this unified approach is essential for building a sustainable and resilient future. The GARID Project, spearheaded by the MLGDRD, demonstrates the government’s commitment to overcoming these challenges and creating a better future for all.

The World Bank and the Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), has held a debriefing meeting on the World Bank Implementation Support Mission (ISM) field visit that took place in the Northern, Upper East and North East regions under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss impeding implementation issues identified on the technical mission field trip, analyse the outcomes and identify actionable lessons for continuous improvement on the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme.

This forms part of efforts to ensure a systematic assessment of progress of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), and ultimately ensure its successful implementation,

Present at the meeting were the Minister for Local Governement, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), World Bank team, project team at the ministry and other staff from the ministry.

The development objective of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) is to improve urban management and basic urban services in participating Municipal Assemblies (MAs) and it is funded by the World Bank.