The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO) through the Green Cities, Infrastructure, and Energy Programme (GCIEP) to advance sustainable urban development in Ghana. The affirmation came during a courtesy call by Simon Stevens, the head of GCIEP, and his delegation to the Ministry on Monday, 11th August 2025.
The meeting, held at the Ministry aimed to review progress on key interventions under the GCIEP, including the finalized Urban Baseline Study and the near-complete Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the draft revised National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan. Discussions also focused on strategies to deepen collaboration between both parties to ensure inclusive, resilient, and well-governed urban spaces across the country.
In her remarks, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP), warmly welcomed the delegation led by Simon Stevens, Head of GCIEP, FCDO. She commended the UK Government’s continued support, describing the visit as “a testament to the growing partnership” between both institutions in addressing Ghana’s urban development needs.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the Urban Baseline Study, finalised in May 2025, provides vital data to inform future planning and interventions in urban areas. She further noted that the M&E Framework, once finalised, will serve as an essential tool to track the effective implementation of the revised National Urban Policy after its approval by Cabinet.
Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah also appealed for the UK FCDO’s continued technical and financial support, particularly for the implementation of the capacity-building plan developed under the GCIEP. The plan is designed to equip technical staff with the necessary skills and resources to effectively execute the Urban Policy, with a call for dedicated funding to ensure sustainability.
Representatives of the GCIEP delegation expressed their readiness to maintain and enhance cooperation with the Ministry, acknowledging the shared vision of promoting sustainable and well-planned urban growth in Ghana. They pledged to explore new avenues for collaboration and support in line with the Ministry’s priorities.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to launching and disseminating the revised National Urban Policy and M&E Framework in the near future, marking another milestone in Ghana-UK cooperation towards sustainable urban governance.