The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has inaugurated the Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC) and its Steering Committee. This significant milestone aims to improve metropolitan planning, operations, and maintenance across the Greater Accra Region.

The ICMC, established under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, will enhance coordination among the 17 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) in the region. This initiative addresses critical issues such as urban sprawl, flooding, and inadequate infrastructure that extend beyond the boundaries of individual MMAs.

Minister of State Osei Bonsu Amoah, representing the sector Minister Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, underscored the importance of unity and collective action in tackling these challenges. He urged the ICMC and Steering Committee members to work together to achieve their mandates, including fostering inter-jurisdictional coordination, optimizing resource use, and enhancing disaster resilience.

The Minister also highlighted the need for effective resource utilization, noting the distribution of sanitation improvement equipment and multi-purpose drones to each MMA. He encouraged the committees to hold regular meetings and approach their roles with dedication and transparency, aiming to build a resilient, integrated, and prosperous region.

This inauguration marks a critical step towards a more coordinated and effective approach to development in the Greater Accra Region. By pooling their expertise, funds, and resources, the MMAs can address the region’s complex challenges and improve the lives of its citizens.

The ICMC and Steering Committee's establishment sets a new standard for inter-jurisdictional coordination and cooperation in Ghana. As the region faces increasing urbanization and climate change-related challenges, this unified approach is essential for building a sustainable and resilient future. The GARID Project, spearheaded by the MLGDRD, demonstrates the government’s commitment to overcoming these challenges and creating a better future for all.

The World Bank and the Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), has held a debriefing meeting on the World Bank Implementation Support Mission (ISM) field visit that took place in the Northern, Upper East and North East regions under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss impeding implementation issues identified on the technical mission field trip, analyse the outcomes and identify actionable lessons for continuous improvement on the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme.

This forms part of efforts to ensure a systematic assessment of progress of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), and ultimately ensure its successful implementation,

Present at the meeting were the Minister for Local Governement, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), World Bank team, project team at the ministry and other staff from the ministry.

The development objective of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) is to improve urban management and basic urban services in participating Municipal Assemblies (MAs) and it is funded by the World Bank.

Oumar Sylla, the Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is on a visit to Ghana from May 19 to May 24, 2024. The visit, marked by a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) which aims to strengthen collaboration on sustainable urban development.

Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, who also serves as the Vice President of the UN-Habitat Assembly, welcoming Mr. Sylla, acknowledged the significant technical assistance UN-Habitat has provided over the years.

He highlighted the support received for the National Urban Policy and Action Plan initiated in 2012, and the forthcoming National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan for 2024-2033, both developed with UN-Habitat’s expertise.

The Minister also noted the development of the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy with UN-Habitat's help, aimed at integrating and preventing the growth of slums.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to sustainable urban development, the Minister emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with UN-Habitat.

Mr. Sylla’s visit signifies a strong partnership and a shared vision for sustainable urban growth in Ghana.

Source   HUMBLE OWUSU YEBOAH (MLGDRD PUBLIC RELATION UNIT)