The Director of the Global Department for Social Development at the World Bank, Mr. Robin Mearns, has praised the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs for the significant progress made in implementing the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project.

The Director noted that the foundational infrastructure established through the project has provided substantial and lasting benefits, particularly in promoting community resilience and social unity.

This commendation was expressed during a courtesy visit to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, to discuss the ongoing SOCO Project. The meeting highlighted the commitment of both organisations to enhance social cohesion and community development in the region.

The World Bank's Social Director highlighted the importance of local partnerships in achieving the project's goals. He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the Ministry's efforts in implementing effective policies and programmes that align with community needs. "Collaboration is essential for creating lasting change," the Director stated, emphasising the World Bank's role as a supportive ally in the region's development journey.

In his welcoming remarks, Hon. Ibrahim emphasised that the SOCO Project is a crucial initiative aimed at fostering social harmony and development in the area. He noted that it has begun to improve community engagement, strengthen local governance, and promote sustainable development practices across the Northern Regions.

He expressed the Government's gratitude for the World Bank's support and recognised the critical role of the SOCO Project in advancing social cohesion.

Hon. Ibrahim underscored the necessity for further dialogue to raise the profile of the SOCO Project, which has provided a broader framework for resilience. The successful implementation of 4,495 initiatives outlined in the project has already benefited over 400,000 individuals as part of its objectives.

A two-day national stakeholder validation workshop on the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (NSUPS) has officially opened at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra. The event, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), is being held in collaboration with UN-Habitat.

The workshop aims to finalise the NSUPS document through extensive consultation and collective input, ensuring that the strategy is inclusive, practical, and grounded in the realities of urban Ghana. The NSUPS is a key national policy framework designed to improve living conditions in existing slums and prevent the emergence of new ones, an objective that aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11; to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, the Director in Charge of Local Governance and Decentralisation, Pln Samuel Seth Passah highlighted the urbanisation challenges confronting Ghana. He noted that more than 56% of the population now resides in urban areas, with projections suggesting this figure could rise to 65% in the near future. He therefore stressed the importance of a well-structured and actionable strategy to guide the physical development of cities and the equitable provision of services.

He also expressed appreciation for the contributions of various institutions throughout the development process and acknowledged the technical and financial support provided by UN-Habitat. He urged participants to bring their diverse expertise to bear in validating the draft document to ensure it adequately addresses the complex issues of urban poverty and slum development.

The workshop drew a wide range of participants, including representatives from key sector Ministries; Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Finance; Works and Housing; Gender, Children and Social Protection; Lands and Natural Resources; and Sanitation and Water Resources. Also in attendance are officials from the Ghana Statistical Service, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), and several Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), such as Accra Metropolitan and Tema Metropolitan Assemblies.

The inclusive nature of the workshop is expected to enrich the NSUPS with diverse perspectives, expertise, and insights paving the way for a well-coordinated national approach to slum upgrading and prevention.

UN-Habitat, a key technical partner in the process, reaffirmed its support for Ghana’s efforts in tackling urban informality and promoting sustainable urban development.

As the workshop continues, stakeholders are expected to build consensus on priority actions, institutional roles, and implementation modalities that will guide the execution of the strategy nationwide.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on Ghanaians to embrace collective responsibility for environmental cleanliness, describing it as a foundation for healthy living, tourism growth, and sustainable development.

Addressing thousands at the grand durbar of the 2025 Aboakyir Festival in Winneba on Saturday, May 3, Hon. Ibrahim praised recent community-led sanitation efforts in the Efutu Municipality and encouraged residents to sustain them. He further urged active public participation in national campaigns such as the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day and the upcoming Green Ghana Day.

“Let us take collective responsibility for our environment. A clean community is the foundation for healthy living, tourism, and economic opportunity,” the Minister stated.

Beyond sanitation, the Minister used the platform to reaffirm government’s broader development agenda, citing the critical link between environmental stewardship and inclusive growth. He underscored the importance of greening public spaces, promoting ecological balance, and integrating environmental consciousness into local governance.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Ibrahim also highlighted the essential role of traditional authorities, religious leaders, and community elders in safeguarding Ghana’s values and identity. He lauded the Efutu Traditional Area for preserving cultural heritage through the Aboakyir Festival and called for stronger intergenerational engagement to pass on ancestral knowledge and customs.

“Festivals like Aboakyir are not merely celebrations. They are living archives of who we are. We must preserve them not just in performance, but in principle,” he said.

The event, held under the theme “Championing Our Ancestral Legacy,” brought together a distinguished gathering of chiefs, Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, the Central Regional Minister Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, security agencies, and thousands of citizens from across the country.

In a direct appeal to government, the Omanhene of the Efutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, called for the rehabilitation of the Winneba Market, citing its deteriorated state and the hardships faced by traders. In response, Hon. Ibrahim pledged government’s commitment to expanding economic infrastructure under the 24-hour economy vision, assuring that modern market facilities would be provided to support local commerce.

The Aboakyir Festival, one of Ghana’s oldest and most revered traditional celebrations, commemorates the bravery and migration of the Efutu people. Its main highlight; the deer-hunting contest between two Asafo companies symbolizes unity, courage, and spiritual devotion, with the captured deer presented as a sacred offering to the gods.

This year’s celebration reaffirmed the enduring bond between culture and development and offered a renewed call for environmental responsibility, peace, and community progress.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)