A major Regional Forum on Social Cohesion has brought together key stakeholders from Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo in Cotonou, Benin from the 5^th -6^th January, 2024, to deepen collaboration on local governance, conflict prevention, and economic resilience in the northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea. The forum, which followed the Committee on Regional Coordination (CRC) meeting, served as a knowledge-sharing platform where participating countries presented insights, discussed challenges, and explored solutions to strengthen social stability across the subregion.

Ghana, led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, played a key role in the discussions, presenting the country’s approach to local governance as a tool for social cohesion. Ghana’s delegation highlighted the importance of decentralized governance structures, inclusive development, and community engagement in addressing the vulnerabilities that contribute to social unrest and violent extremism.

During the country presentations, Ghana shared key insights on its governance model, emphasizing the role of district assemblies and local authorities in fostering peace and economic empowerment. The presentation showcased Ghana’s initiatives in youth employment, skills training, and the use of digital platforms like the Local Development Portal to improve governance transparency and citizen participation. Delegates from other countries engaged in discussions on how these strategies could be adapted to their national contexts.

The forum also provided an opportunity for Ghana to exchange ideas on community-led approaches to development, a critical component in preventing radicalization and strengthening grassroots resilience. The discussions underscored the need for regional coordination, policy alignment, and the scaling up of successful interventions across the four countries.

Participants explored strategies for sustaining these efforts beyond the SOCO Project’s initial implementation. Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to securing additional resources and working with regional partners to expand the reach of social cohesion initiatives.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Ghana has described the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project (SOCO) as a transformative initiative that is enhancing economic opportunities, strengthening governance, and fostering social resilience in the country’s implementation regions.

Speaking on the final day of the Regional Forum on Social Cohesion in Cotonou, Benin, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, highlighted the project’s impact on youth and women empowerment, political inclusion, and community development.

He noted that SOCO is delivering real change at the grassroots level by working through Ghana’s existing decentralized governance system, ensuring that development is driven by the very communities it seeks to uplift.

According to him, the community-led approach adopted under the project has fostered a sense of ownership among local populations, a critical factor for ensuring sustainability and long-term success.

“The SOCO Project is a game-changer,” Hon. Ibrahim stated. “It has not only provided infrastructural dividends in its areas of operation but has also strengthened social cohesion and community resilience, creating lasting impact where it is needed most.”

Ghana’s delegation emphasized that the project’s investments in economic empowerment, social inclusion, and participatory governance are yielding positive results, with local communities now more engaged in shaping their own development.

By focusing on localized solutions, SOCO is helping to prevent social unrest, address economic vulnerabilities, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

As the three-day forum concluded, Ghana reiterated its commitment to further strengthening the implementation of SOCO and working with regional partners to scale up its impact across the Gulf of Guinea’s northern regions.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

Ahead of a two-day Regional Forum on Social Cohesion in Beni-Cotonou, the Committee on Regional Coordination (CRC) of the SOCO Project convened in Cotonou, Benin on the 4^th January, 2024, bringing together representatives from Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo. The meeting, which took place before the commencement of the conference, provided an opportunity for the four countries to assess the progress of the SOCO Project, discuss shared challenges, and align strategies for more effective collaboration.

The CRC plays a crucial role in coordinating the implementation of the SOCO Project across the participating countries, ensuring that national efforts are aligned with the broader regional objectives of strengthening social cohesion, improving local governance, and addressing economic vulnerabilities.

During the meeting, delegates reviewed the status of project implementation in each country, examined key indicators, and explored ways to enhance regional coordination. Discussions also covered governance issues, including the transition of the CRC leadership, and preparations for the mid-term review of the project.

Ghana’s Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to regional cooperation and emphasized the importance of working together to address common challenges. He highlighted the need for greater policy alignment, knowledge sharing, and investment in youth empowerment and economic resilience to ensure that the SOCO Project delivers lasting impact.

With the CRC meeting laying the foundation, the two-day conference was to commence, focusing on key themes such as local governance, community-led development, and strategies for strengthening social cohesion in the northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea.

The discussions and outcomes of the CRC meeting are expected to shape the direction of the forum, ensuring that participating countries move forward with a clear, unified approach to tackling fragility, violence, and economic challenges in the region.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)