In a move to foster bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between Ghana and Angola, the Angolan Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. João Domingos Baptista Quiosa, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, on the 15^th August, 2024 at his office in Accra.

At the meeting, Ambassador Quiosa conveyed the intentions of the Angolan Minister for Territory Administration and State Reforms; extending an invitation for both countries to pay official reciprocal bilateral visits among the two countries. The purpose of the visit is for the two countries to learn firsthand from each other exemplary decentralisation processes, particularly Ghana’s track record on decentralisation which has been hailed as a success story across the continent.

The Angolan delegation seeks to gain insights into the mechanisms, policies, and strategies that have underpinned Ghana’s decentralisation achievements. Ambassador Quiosa emphasized that Angola is keen to replicate Ghana’s successes as it undertakes reforms aimed at enhancing local governance and state administration in their own country.

Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah expressed Ghana’s readiness to share its experiences and best practices with Angola. He welcomed the initiative, noting that such exchanges are vital for mutual growth and the strengthening of African solidarity. The Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two nations in achieving shared goals, particularly in the area of decentralisation, which plays a crucial role in national development.

The upcoming visit will not only focus on knowledge exchange but also explore potential areas for further collaboration between Ghana and Angola. Both parties expressed optimism that the visit will lead to a stronger partnership and contribute to the broader agenda of advancing good governance and development across Africa.

The courtesy call marks a significant step in enhancing diplomatic ties between Ghana and Angola, setting the stage for a future visit that promises to be fruitful for both countries.

Source:                DARLING MAAME EFUA CANN

                             (PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, MLGDRD)

The Adansi South District Assembly has benefited from three (3) cycles of the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, with the initial cycle resulting in the Construction of 2No diameter pipe culvert and spot improvement Bronikrom-Kwame Agyei feeder road (2.5 km) and Construction of 1No. Mechanized Borehole with 5,000L overhead tank at Drobonso. This intervention was carried out with a funding amount of Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventeen (GH₡406,817.00) Ghana Cedis under the GrEEn Project for the years 2022-2023.

Uder the 3^rd cycle, the District Assembly had a funding amount of Three Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Seven Ghana Cedis (GH₡322,927.00). It is on this basis that the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), on Saturday, August 10, handed over to the Nyamebekeyere community, 1.​Spot Improvement of Nyamebekyere Jn- Nyamebekyere feeder road (1.6km) with the Construction of 4No. 1⁄(900mm ) diameter pipe culvert and the drilling and Mechanisation of 1No. Mechanised Borehole at Nyamebekeyere.

As part of the project design, the GrEEn initiative engaged the local hands, including men and women from Nyamebekeyere for the construction of these very monumental sub-projects, under the Cash for Work component of the project.

Additionally, these individuals received capacity building in employable life skills through the Employability Life Skills Programme, which was facilitated by the leadership of SoS Children’s Villages (SoS). This training encompassed various areas, including soap making, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, among others.

Under the Cash for Work (CfW) component, a total of One Hundred and Thirty (130) community members have benefited and was graduated with certificates, consisting of Seventy-Nine (79) males and Fifty-Three (53) females.

The GrEEn initiative focuses on the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructures and investment projects in local communities, including improving water supply through provision of boreholes, constructing footbridges and culverts, setting up greenhouse nets, conducting awareness campaigns to educate the local communities, particularly women and farmers and enhancing their ability to withstand the impacts of climate change and various crises. It is funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

Nsuaem No. 2 in the Wassah Amenfi East Municipality has benefited some developmental projects under the third (3^rd) cycle of the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD).

The projects which were commissioned and handed over to them on Friday, August 9, 2024, comprise of the Construction of a 1No. Mechanized Borehole with concrete overhead stand, 2No. Poly tanks and 3 No. fetching tabs in Nsuaem No 2; Construction of 1 No. 1800mm Double Pipe Culvert, Approach filling and Embankment of 150 meters in Nsuaem No 2.

A total of One Hundred and Twenty-Four (124) community members consisting of Thirty-One (31) males and Ninety-Three (93) females, graduated with certificates under the Cash for Work (CfW) component.

The GrEEn initiative focuses on the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructures and investment projects in local communities, including improving water supply through provision of boreholes, constructing footbridges and culverts, setting up greenhouse nets, conducting awareness campaigns to educate the local communities, particularly women and farmers and enhancing their ability to withstand the impacts of climate change and various crises. It is funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).