A delegation from the Gambian Ministry of Lands, Regional Government & Religious Affairs has visited Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) to study the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project Phase 2 (GPSNP2), a key social protection initiative.
The delegation’s focus is to observe and learn from Ghana’s success in implementing productive inclusion (PI) under GPSNP2, a model that has significantly advanced social protection at the local governance level.
The study tour comes as Gambia prepares to launch its own Productive Economic Inclusion initiative within the Resilient Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project, a program aimed at empowering economically vulnerable populations to achieve sustainable livelihoods. With Ghana having set a successful precedent through GPSNP2, the Gambian delegation hopes to replicate key aspects of Ghana’s approach, particularly the strategies and implementation practices that have effectively integrated vulnerable communities into productive economic activities.
During a comprehensive briefing, the technical team from MLGDRD presented the core components, methodologies, and outcomes of GPSNP2’s productive inclusion strategies. The PI component under GPSNP2, they shared, has focused on equipping economically disadvantaged groups with skills, resources, and opportunities that enable them to generate sustainable income. The team detailed how the project has been structured to provide targeted support, ensuring that even the most marginalized are empowered to participate in the economic landscape.
Following the briefing, the delegation is scheduled to embark on a field visit to Ghana’s Upper East Region, where GPSNP2 has been successfully implemented. This hands-on visit is set to offer the Gambian team a practical understanding of the project's day-to-day operations, including interactions with project beneficiaries and field staff. Observing these processes firsthand is expected to be pivotal, as it will showcase how the project has addressed the unique challenges faced by communities in Ghana’s northern regions.
Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, Chief Director of MLGDRD, who chaired the briefing session, highlighted Ghana’s commitment to regional collaboration in advancing sustainable development goals. He underscored that “Ghana’s experience in delivering productive inclusion has been built upon shared aspirations for economic resilience and social equity within local governance structures.” Mr. Abdul-Rahaman further expressed optimism that the insights gained by the Gambian team would translate into effective strategies for Gambia’s social intervention framework, bringing tangible benefits to its communities.
On behalf of the delegation, the Gambian leader praised the strategic relevance of the visit, describing it as an invaluable step toward the success of Gambia’s own social protection initiatives. He expressed gratitude for Ghana’s consistent and comprehensive support, which, he noted, has extended across multiple sectors of governance and development. “The experience and knowledge shared by the Ghanaian team are both inspiring and crucial,” he remarked, “and this tour marks a milestone in Gambia’s preparations to deliver an inclusive project that uplifts the lives of the economically vulnerable.”
As Ghana and Gambia continue to forge strong bilateral ties through knowledge-sharing and mutual support, this study tour highlights a shared vision to foster resilient, inclusive economies in West Africa. By learning from Ghana’s GPSNP2, the Gambian delegation hopes to adopt a model that will empower its communities, ultimately contributing to sustainable development across the subregion.
SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Sandra Owusu Asamoah
(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)