Gyeongju, Republic of Korea – The 2nd Global Ministerial Saemaul Meeting and Global Saemaul Leadership Meeting concluded with a farewell dinner, bringing together ministers, leaders, and delegates from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and South Korea.

The evening gathering provided a warm and reflective close to the four-day programme, which featured high-level ministerial sessions, leadership forums, and seminars on community-led development. Delegates shared final moments of camaraderie and reaffirmed their commitment to returning home to implement the lessons and strategies drawn from the Saemaul Undong spirit of diligence, self-help, and cooperation.

The farewell dinner served not only as a gesture of appreciation but also as a call to action, urging participants to translate the outcomes of the forum into transformative initiatives within their respective countries.

With renewed energy and strengthened partnerships, delegates departed Gyeongju resolved to expand the reach of Saemaul-inspired development and contribute to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities worldwide.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

MLGCRA Public Relations Unit

On the final day of the 2nd Global Ministerial Saemaul Meeting and Global Saemaul Leadership Meeting, delegates embarked on a cultural and historical tour to round off the week’s engagements.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, joined fellow ministers and leaders for a guided visit to President Park’s History and Presidential Library and Museum. The visit offered participants a deeper appreciation of Korea’s journey of transformation and the historical roots that shaped the Saemaul Undong movement.

Delegates explored exhibitions that chronicled Korea’s path from post-war recovery to rapid development, highlighting the values of resilience, innovation, and collective spirit that continue to inspire global cooperation through the Saemaul model.

The site visit provided not only a reflective close to the four-day programme but also a meaningful reminder of how history and leadership can shape the trajectory of nations.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

MLGCRA Public Relations Unit

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, together with his Deputy and senior officials of the Ministry, has held a working meeting with officials from the World Bank to review the implementation status of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).

The engagement, held at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra, provided a platform for both sides to take stock of progress made under the programme, deliberate on challenges affecting implementation, and discuss the possibility of an extension to ensure the successful completion of ongoing interventions.

In his remarks, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim commended the World Bank for its continuous partnership and technical assistance towards Ghana’s urban development and decentralisation efforts. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to the effective delivery of the GSCSP, noting that the programme remains a key vehicle for improving infrastructure, strengthening local governance systems, and enhancing service delivery in selected secondary cities across the country.

Officials from the World Bank, in their response, lauded the Ministry for its leadership and coordination of the programme and expressed the Bank’s readiness to continue its collaboration with government to resolve outstanding implementation and financial management issues.

The meeting also examined critical operational areas including project disbursement, performance indicators, and compliance obligations. Both parties agreed to develop a joint action framework to address pending issues and sustain the programme’s overall impact.

The Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme is a Government of Ghana initiative supported by the World Bank to promote balanced urban development, strengthen the capacity of Municipal Assemblies, and advance the country’s decentralisation and local governance agenda.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey
MLGCRA Public Relations Unit