The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, has welcomed a delegation from the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The courtesy call aimed to reinforce the existing partnership between the Ministry and BIRD-KNUST, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing rural development initiatives across the country.
The BIRD-KNUST delegation, led by a senior director and the Provost of the university, expressed their eagerness to deepen collaboration, particularly in capacity building and policy implementation. Highlighting the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions, the director stated, "We are here not only to introduce ourselves but also to underscore key aspects of the MOU, beyond this policy briefing. It is reassuring to know that the Ministry is fully committed to strengthening this partnership."
One of the critical issues raised during the meeting was the need for tailored short courses aimed at building the capacity of Ministry staff. The director emphasized the potential benefits of such initiatives, noting that "engaging with the Ministry to develop customized short courses will greatly contribute to the professional growth of its staff."
The Provost, who has been a longstanding advocate for rural development, reiterated the importance of implementing the MOU's key deliverables. He highlighted the annual State of Rural Development report, a crucial tool for assessing the progress of rural development in Ghana. "As Provost, I have closely followed the development of rural areas, and I strongly believe that the State of the Rural Economy report is vital. It serves as a measurable indicator for evaluating the Ministry's impact on rural development," he stated. He urged the Ministry to expedite the implementation of this initiative, expressing BIRD-KNUST's readiness to contribute to its success.
The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, in a response, assured the delegation of the Ministry's commitment to fostering collaboration. "I am ready to collaborate with you to deepen our partnership and ensure mutual development," the Minister affirmed.
SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Sandra Owusu Asamoah
(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)