Following the launch of the Sustainable Cities Project (SCP) Phase I, the inaugural Project Oversight Committee (POC) meeting convened at the Mariam Hotel in Tamale. The meeting, a critical step toward the implementation of the SCP, was chaired by Mr. Divine Ayidzoe, who represented the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) Mr. Amin Abdul Rahaman.
In his address, Mr. Ayidzoe underscored the importance of the POC’s role in ensuring the success of the SCP, a project backed by a €14.7 million grant from the European Union.
Phase I of the project aims to improve urban sustainability in key northern cities;Tamale, Wa, Damongo, Nalerigu, Bolgatanga, and Yendi over the next five years.
"This committee holds a strategic position in steering the project’s direction and success. The decisions we make here today will have far-reaching impacts on urban development and the wellbeing of communities," said Mr. Ayidzoe during the session.
The POC, which consists of representatives from various Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and beneficiary Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), was formed to provide policy direction, monitor project progress, and ensure alignment with broader government programs and policies. Among the committee’s key mandates are the review and approval of annual work plans and budgets, evaluation of project performance, and guidance on critical decisions to ensure the project's coherence and effectiveness.
At the heart of the discussions during the meeting was the approval of the 2024/2025 Annual Work Plan and Budget, essential for setting the project in motion. Additionally, the meeting addressed the development of an Urban Observatory, an innovative tool designed to track critical urban sustainability indicators and monitor the project's long-term impact across the northern cities.
"The success of this project will depend on how well we collaborate, make informed decisions, and adapt to emerging challenges in urban management. Today’s discussions are vital in laying the foundation for sustainable urban development in these regions," Mr. Ayidzoe stressed.
Members of the committee also reviewed preliminary project indicators and provided input into the design of the Urban Observatory, which will serve as a key mechanism for data collection and analysis throughout the project’s lifespan.
The POC members were urged to maintain active engagement and a strong sense of ownership over the project. Their role in providing policy guidance and ensuring compliance with national and international standards was highlighted as a cornerstone of the project’s anticipated success.
SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)