Members of the District Assemblies Common Fund- Response Factor Grant (DACF-RFG) Technical Working Committee brainstorms on best practices for the successful implementation and effective conduct of the District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) for an improved local government system.

They also discussed the update on work plans and budget of national implementing institutions, update on DPAT VI transfers, status of DPAT VII (2022) allocation, emerging issues from pre-negotiation/consultation meeting with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the feasibility of commitment by the Government of Ghana (GoG) and Development Partners (DPs) for the District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) VIII (2023).

The meeting was at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and chaired by Hon. Miracles Aboagye, the Executive Secretary of the Inter-Jurisdictional, Ministerial Management Committee (IMCC).

Present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the MLGDRD, Amin Abdul-Rahaman, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Reconstruction Credit Institute (KFW), the Institute of Local Government Service (ILGS), State Secretariate for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah
                Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD

An Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC) and its Steering Committee which was inaugurated under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, to enhance coordination and resilience across the Greater Accra Region has held its maiden meeting to kick-start its mandate.

The meeting which was held at the Ministry of Local Government Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) was to elect and inaugurate executives of the ICMC to kick start their operations. Members were taken  through the mission, vision, governing structure  and the task of the ICMC. The need for a joint plan and its overview were also highlighted.

Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq., a Deputy Minister at the Ministry who chaired the meeting on behalf the Hon. Minister, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah was hopeful that the implementation of the ICMC framework being piloted would not only serve as a deliverable for the GARID project but the lessons learnt will form the basis for framework plan to be replicated in other non-GARID  assemblies across the country.

Elected and inaugurated as board members of the ICMC were Hon. Kofi Ofori, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly as Chairman, Hon. Deborah Ampofo, MCE for the Ga East Municipal Assembly as Vice Chair, Hon. Emmanuel Baisie, Coordinating Director of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly as Secretary, Hon. Sandra Owusu Ahenkora, MCE of Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly as the Financial Secretary, and Hon. Aminu Zakari Mohammed, MCE for the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly as Organiser.

The ICMCis to ensure a flood-free zone and improved flood-related sanitation services for the GARID project area and their mission is to Identify flooding and flood-related sanitation issues and together implement a joint spatial plan to mitigate flooding and its effects in the seventeen (17) jurisdictions of the GARID projects.

The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project works to improve flood risk and solid waste management in the Odaw River basin and improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted flood prone low-income communities in the Greater Accra region. GARID’s goal is to support mitigation measures to better manage flooding in Greater Accra region, particularly, in communities within the Odaw River basin. The project is being implemented in 17 Metroplitan and Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra region.

The Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC) and its Steering Committee are mandated to improve metropolitan planning, operations, and maintenance across the Greater Accra Region.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah & Humble Owusu Yeboah
              Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD

The Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD) in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and the UN Habitat, has convened an orientation workshop at AH Hotel for the initial beneficiary Metropolitan and Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs) of the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Abdulai Abanga, Deputy Minister in a speech read on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, commended the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly for their exemplary leadership as a pioneering example of sustainable urban development through the utilization of SDG Cities and and People-centered Smart Cities approaches, which has paved the way for nine additional MMDAs to join the programme.

“Ghana’s unwavering commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2016 is evident through our robust processes and partnerships,” Hon. Abanga stated. “The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of sustainable development, demonstrating our dedication to transforming urban spaces.”

The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme, a flagship initiative of the UN-Habitat and its member states, aims to enhance local-level delivery of Agenda 2030 through data collection, analysis, and incentivized SDG Certification.

Supported by the Government of Norway, the programme will be implemented in ten cities and districts, aligning seamlessly with Ghana’s development plans.

Key cities involved in the programme include Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale, Obuasi, Techiman, Kyebi, Dzodze, Wenchi, and Elmina. The initiative focuses on improving evidence-based planning, strengthening local institutions, digitizing government services, and preparing a pipeline of projects for financing through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the private sector.

“We are at a pivotal moment in our development journey,” Hon. Abanga emphasized. “This programme is not just about adopting new technologies; it’s about reimagining our urban spaces to prioritize the well-being of our citizens and the health of our planet.”

The Deputy Minister called on all participants to embrace innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. As Ghana embarks on this transformative journey, the Smart SDG Cities Programme promises to create smarter, more inclusive, and resilient cities, setting a new standard for sustainable urban development.

Source : Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD)