The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has successfully hosted a high-level debriefing session on the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), following an Implementation Support Mission conducted by the World Bank. The session, held from 14th to 17th April 2025, brought together key stakeholders from government and development institutions to reflect on implementation progress and chart the way forward for inclusive and resilient urban development.

The support mission focused on Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) in the Upper West, Savanna, and Bono East regions, and Municipal Assemblies including West Gonja, Techiman, and Nkoranza South. It offered a platform to share insights from the field, assess project performance, and identify strategic adjustments to sustain impact across all project areas.

As part of the mission activities, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Finance to discuss inter-ministerial coordination, financial alignment, and strategic collaboration. This engagement reaffirmed the commitment of key government agencies to ensuring sound fiscal management and continuity in development delivery.

Field assessments conducted during the mission highlighted the need for strengthened contract supervision, improved adherence to implementation timelines, and enhanced fire safety systems to protect community infrastructure. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges through stronger collaboration with implementing partners, Assemblies, and local stakeholders.

Addressing participants during the wrap-up session, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon.  Ahmed Ibrahim, commended the measurable impact of the programme, particularly in transforming infrastructure, improving service delivery, and elevating the overall quality of life for residents in beneficiary cities.

    “The Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme has brought transformative change to participating municipalities. Beneficiaries of the programme are experiencing meaningful improvements and are privileged to be part of this initiative,” he stated.

In view of the programme’s success, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim revealed that the Ministry has commenced engagements with the World Bank to explore options for additional financing; either to scale up the current programme or to launch a second phase.

    “The aim of this next phase,” he noted, “is to broaden the geographical reach and expand the programme’s interventions. We seek to extend the benefits to more secondary cities and fast-track inclusive urban development across the country.”

The debriefing also stressed the importance of improved coordination between procurement and contract management functions. The Ministry is currently undertaking efforts to streamline internal processes, enhance reporting systems, and reinforce communication across implementation teams to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of project milestones.

In line with the programme’s long-term development goals, the Ministry and its partners are placing increasing emphasis on institutional strengthening, capacity building of local governments, and improved service delivery to citizens. This holistic approach is expected to foster greater community ownership, enhance public satisfaction, and drive sustainable local development beyond physical infrastructure.

As the project cycle nears completion, the Ministry is prioritising a well-structured close-out process, which includes finalising contractual obligations, completing monitoring and evaluation activities, and compiling success stories to inform future development planning.

By fostering strategic partnerships, demonstrating results, and maintaining sound project management practices, the MLGCRA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting inclusive, people-centred urban growth. The Ministry looks forward to deepening collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners to drive national progress and build community resilience.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/Sandra Owusu Asamaoah/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Presby Moderator Endorses Reintroduction of National Sanitation Day

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opoku Kwakye, has thrown his full support behind the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD), describing it as a crucial initiative that will significantly improve hygiene and public health across the country.

He made the remarks during a high-level engagement with the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, at the headquarters of the Church in Accra. The visit formed part of broader stakeholder consultations ahead of the official relaunch and observance of the National Sanitation Day, scheduled for Saturday, 3rd May 2025.

“We all talk about the good old days, but very few of us are ready to take the right steps,” the Moderator remarked. “If we allow discipline to take its rightful place in our schools and communities, sanitation will no longer be our problem.”

Rt. Rev. Dr. Opoku Kwakye emphasized the role of religious institutions and leadership in instilling a culture of cleanliness and civic responsibility, urging all Presbyterians across the country to participate fully in the renewed effort.

“I endorse the initiative and charge all districts, congregations, and preaching points of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to take active part in ensuring that this does not become a one-day event, but a continuous lifestyle of environmental responsibility,” he stated.

He further lauded government’s recent efforts to strengthen partnerships with faith-based organizations in education, particularly through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Christian Council on the management of mission schools. According to him, such collaboration will allow churches to shape the next generation of leaders with values of discipline, responsibility, and national pride.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, in his remarks, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a cleaner Ghana through inclusive stakeholder participation. The courtesy call formed part of a series of strategic engagements with religious and traditional leaders ahead of the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day, a key component of Ghana’s sanitation and environmental sustainability agenda.

The initiative is expected to mobilize communities, schools, churches, mosques, civil society, and all relevant institutions to embrace monthly sanitation activities aimed at restoring environmental cleanliness and improving public health outcomes nationwide.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The European Union (EU) and the Government of France are scaling up their efforts to address urban development and climate resilience challenges in Northern Ghana through an expanded support package under the Sustainable Cities Project.

A high-level mission to Tamale brought together the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly; the French Ambassador, Jules-Armand Aniambossou; the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John; and Dr. Pamela Adofo Ansong from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The visit focused on strengthening collaboration with local authorities and communities to improve urban infrastructure and services.

The Sustainable Cities Project, currently underway in Tamale, Wa, Yendi, Damongo, Bolgatanga, and Nalerigu, is supported with €15 million in funding from the EU and implemented by Expertise France. The project is improving urban planning, sanitation, flood control, and green public spaces, while supporting the creation of Urban Observatories to guide evidence-based city management.

The delegation visited communities in Lamakara, Buipela, Nalung, and Tutingli to engage with residents and assess needs on the ground. Flooding, heatwaves, and poor sanitation were highlighted as urgent issues affecting health, safety, and livelihoods.

In response, the EU and France announced plans for an expanded €55.5 million intervention, which will deliver faecal sludge treatment plants, individual household toilets, and improved waste systems across the six cities. Plans are also underway to improve water access in Tamale, Wa, and Damongo, with new support from partners including Denmark and the Netherlands.

“The challenges in our cities are real, but so is our determination to solve them together,” said Hon. Ali Adolf John, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim. “This partnership gives us the tools and confidence to plan and build cities that are healthier, safer, and more resilient.”

The enhanced project is expected to be launched later this year and will run through 2028.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)