A stakeholder workshop to review the Draft Urban Baseline Report under the Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme (GCIP) was held on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Accra, marking a significant step toward data-informed urban development in Ghana.

The session, organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in partnership with the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), forms part of efforts to strengthen the revised National Urban Policy (2025–2034). It brought together representatives from government agencies, Metropolitan and Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs), technical experts, and development partners to assess the findings of the draft report and provide feedback ahead of its finalisation.

Developed under Workstream 3A of the GCIP, the Urban Baseline Report consolidates critical data and performance indicators across 108 Assemblies and national institutions. It offers a snapshot of Ghana’s urban landscape, with indicators covering water and sanitation, waste management, urban roads, stormwater drainage, housing, and climate resilience. Of the 164 draft indicators identified, data was available for 88; highlighting both progress and gaps that need to be addressed for effective urban policy planning.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, the Director for Local Governance and Decentralisation, Pln. Samuel Seth Passah, described the Report as essential to building more inclusive and resilient cities. “The Urban Baseline Report is not just a technical deliverable. It is the foundation for building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities,” he said.

Participants, including representatives from the Ghana Statistical Service, the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, MESTI, the EU Delegation, GIZ, and others, reviewed the report’s methodology, indicators, and emerging insights. Technical support for the baseline was provided by PSS Urbania Consult.

The GCIP, supported by the UK FCDO, seeks to enhance sustainable urbanisation in Ghana by supporting data generation, institutional strengthening, and monitoring frameworks aligned to national priorities. The Urban Baseline Report will inform a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework and the design of an Urban Observatory to track urban development outcomes over time.

With validation inputs now gathered, the finalisation of the report and next steps, including institutional capacity assessment and MEL system development are expected to strengthen Ghana’s ability to implement its urban policy and deliver targeted interventions across cities and municipalities.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann/ Sandra Owusu Asamoah/ Melody Hini-Amoako (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

A joint mission organised by the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) was dispatched to Ghana to prioritise and advance high-impact infrastructure projects in critical sectors such as energy, water, and transportation.

The mission sought to engage in discussions regarding the outstanding issues related to both ongoing and emerging projects, programmes, and initiatives. The primary objective of the EU and EIB mission was to support the Government of Ghana in refining and prioritizing its infrastructure investment portfolio.

This strategic approach is intended to ensure that EU and EIB funds are allocated efficiently to projects that offer optimal financial and developmental outcomes. Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU and EIB are integrating EU grants and sovereign guarantees with EIB concessional loans to create highly advantageous financing packages.

 These financial structures are designed to align with International Monetary Fund (IMF) requirements while enabling the release of additional grants for each infrastructure project supported under this initiative.

The mission team informed the Ministry about a dedicated regional envelope to complement the Government of Ghana's funding allocations for various projects. The team acknowledged that Ghana's enduring partnership with the EU and EIB has already yielded significant results in areas such as decentralisation, local governance, energy, sanitation, and waste management.

The ongoing EU-Ghana Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Cities Programme, established under the Joint Programming framework (2021–2027), continues to provide both financial and technical support aimed at enhancing infrastructure in urban centres. This aligns seamlessly with the government's broader vision of fostering smart and sustainable cities.

As part of these continued efforts, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) is overseeing the African Sustainable Cities Initiative (ASCI). Funded by the EIB, this initiative focuses on strengthening urban resilience and enhancing the financial sustainability of selected cities across Ghana, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda.

In Ghana, the initiative identifies Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale, and Techiman Metropolitan Assemblies as beneficiaries, selected for their potential for economic growth and pressing infrastructure needs.

The ASCI aims to support these metropolitan areas in identifying and implementing investment-ready, high-impact infrastructure projects that align with Ghana’s national priorities and international frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda.

Moreover, the ASCI will facilitate a feasibility study for the development of the Tamale, Damongo, and Yendi Water Projects, which aim to address persistent water supply challenges in the northern regions of Ghana. Additionally, the initiative will assist the Ministry in finalising the feasibility study for the construction of three Feacal Sludge Treatment Plants in Yendi, Bolgatanga, and Wa.

These collaborative efforts are anticipated to maximise the impact of available resources while reinforcing Ghana’s strategic partnership with the EU and EIB. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that these initiatives deliver transformative urban infrastructure, thereby improving the quality of life across the nation.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with UN-Habitat, convened a high-level Oversight Committee Meeting on the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme to assess progress and reaffirm commitment toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

Held in Accra, the session featured comprehensive presentations on the status of implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and next steps in the rollout of the Smart SDG Cities framework. Representatives from MLGCRA, UN-Habitat, and key Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) shared their respective workplans and strategic priorities.

Focal Persons from both UN-Habitat and MLGCRA led deliberations, ensuring alignment with global SDG benchmarks while emphasizing Ghana’s contextual realities. The meeting forms part of continuous stakeholder engagements to accelerate progress on smart urban innovations, digital infrastructure, and climate-responsive planning under the broader Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme.

The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme is a flagship initiative designed to localize the Sustainable Development Goals through data-driven governance, integrated planning, and community-focused solutions in rapidly growing urban areas.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)