In a bold reaffirmation of Ghana's commitment to inclusive growth and decentralised governance, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Swiss Government, officially launched the Ghana Cooperation Programme (2025–2028) of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The launch, attended by high-level dignitaries including His Royal Majesty Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, the Osu Mantse; Her Excellency Simone Giger, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana; and Ms. Janine Walz, Head of Cooperation at the Swiss Embassy, marked a significant milestone in a 23-year development partnership between Ghana and Switzerland.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), highlighted the Programme’s central focus on deepening decentralisation, promoting sustainable urban mobility, enhancing environmental integrity, and driving inclusive economic growth.
“This programme is more than a development framework it is a partnership for transformation,” the Minister stated. “It aligns perfectly with Ghana’s Revised National Urban Policy and the recently launched Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy, and it reaffirms our shared vision of building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous nation.”
Over the years, SECO’s interventions in Ghana have supported institutional reform and improved local governance through landmark initiatives such as the District Assemblies Common Fund–Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG), which has delivered over 8,000 community infrastructure projects, and the Responsive, Effective, and Efficient Local Governance in Ghana (REELG) project, which trained over 7,900 Assembly Members and built leadership capacity across 40 MMDCEs.
Equally notable is the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP), launched in 2016, which has significantly improved public transport planning and urban mobility within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. Building on this momentum, GUMAP Phase II is in preparation, backed by a proposed USD 6.9 million grant from SECO. The new phase will expand to include Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, focusing on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim also underscored Switzerland’s critical role in promoting macroeconomic resilience, youth employment, and environmental stewardship. “The Ghana Cooperation Programme’s commitment to environmental integrity recognises the pivotal role of local governments in implementing climate-smart and green growth policies,” he noted.
The Minister expressed Ghana’s deep appreciation to the Swiss Government and people for their consistent and meaningful support. “Your partnership is not only financial, it is a vote of confidence in our democratic and developmental journey,” he remarked.
The Ghana Cooperation Programme (2025–2028) is poised to accelerate Ghana’s decentralisation agenda, strengthen institutional frameworks, empower local authorities, and deliver sustainable development outcomes at the grassroots level.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)