Ghana, La Côte d’Ivoire Strengthen Collaboration on SOCO Project for Shared Development

A delegation from La Côte d’Ivoire has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, as part of a study tour to Ghana to learn best practices in the implementation of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project. The visit marks a significant step in fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two countries under the SOCO initiative.

The SOCO project aims to strengthen social cohesion, enhance resilience, and promote development in vulnerable communities across the Gulf of Guinea’s northern regions. Ghana is one of the implementing countries, alongside La Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin. As part of the visit, the Ivorian delegation sought to understand Ghana’s strategies, structures, and lessons learned in executing the project to guide their own implementation.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the importance of cooperation and peer learning among participating countries to achieve the project’s objectives. He emphasized that development must be carefully planned, monitored, and evaluated to ensure that interventions truly serve the needs of the people. “We must all be actively involved in the implementation of SOCO projects to ensure that they deliver sustainable outcomes that benefit the masses,” he stated.

The minister highlighted Ghana’s commitment to transparency, community participation, and accountability in managing SOCO interventions. He noted that these principles have been central to the project’s success in Ghana’s northern regions, where local authorities, traditional leaders, and community members play active roles in decision-making and project execution.

The Ivorian delegation expressed appreciation for Ghana’s openness in sharing experiences and best practices. They noted that La Côte d’Ivoire stands ready to collaborate closely with Ghana to ensure the successful implementation of SOCO projects in both countries. According to the delegation, such cooperation would enhance cross-border harmony and contribute to sustainable development and stability within the subregion.

In Ghana, the SOCO project is being implemented in six regions in the northern part of the country  including Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, and Oti Regions. The initiative focuses on improving livelihoods, enhancing social infrastructure, and promoting peace and resilience in communities affected by fragility, conflict, and climate challenges.

The courtesy call concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepen collaboration and exchange technical expertise to maximize the benefits of the SOCO project. The partnership between Ghana and La Côte d’Ivoire, they agreed, represents a vital opportunity to build stronger, more resilient communities and advance the broader goal of regional integration and shared prosperity.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Sandra Owusu Asamoah

MLGCRA PR Unit