The C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), a global leader in supporting urban infrastructure projects that drive climate resilience, is extending its expertise to Ghana with a focus on waste management in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area (STMA). A delegation from CFF paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to outline their plans and reaffirm their commitment to working with national and local authorities.

CFF helps cities transform climate action plans into practical projects that deliver measurable impact. Their city centred approach ensures that solutions benefit all residents, including marginalised communities, while tackling the urgent challenges of climate change. To date, CFF has partnered with 30 cities across four regions including Mumbai, Medellin, Durban, and Dakar supporting 36 projects in renewable energy, sustainable mobility, water, waste management, and nature-based solutions. Globally, the organisation has mobilised over $650 million in climate investments and is on track to leverage more than $1 billion by 2025.

In Sekondi-Takoradi, CFF is supporting a comprehensive waste management programme aimed at reducing the city’s reliance on landfills. The project targets an 80% diversion of municipal solid waste from landfills, a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector by 2050, and the generation of renewable energy. Beyond environmental gains, the programme will create green jobs, strengthen the livelihoods of both formal and informal waste workers, and tackle the growing threat of plastic pollution and drain blockages that cause flooding.

Through a combination of technical expertise, financial readiness support, and capacity building, CFF equips cities with the tools and knowledge to deliver sustainable change. This includes specialised training, workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and knowledge exchanges to strengthen local institutions.

The courtesy call to the Minister marks an important step in aligning the initiative with Ghana’s broader environmental and development agenda. The partnership between CFF and STMA aims to establish a model for sustainable waste management in Ghana showing that climate action can protect the environment, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for citizens.

Source : Stephanie Edem Klutsey

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, an alumnus of Sunyani Secondary School, has been celebrated by his alma mater in recognition of his appointment to the high office of Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA).

In a touching gesture of pride and solidarity, the Minister’s former headmaster paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry. During the visit, he presented a crafted citation, lauding the Minister’s dedication to public service and congratulating him on this important milestone in his career.

The Minister expressed appreciation for the recognition. He reflected on how his formative years at Sunyani Secondary School helped shape his values, discipline, and commitment to leadership. He further encouraged current students of the school to pursue excellence, integrity, and service to the nation, noting that these qualities remain the cornerstone of meaningful achievement.

The visit underscored the enduring bond between the Minister and his former school and served as a reminder of how strong educational foundations can influence lifelong accomplishments. It also stood as an inspiring example of how institutions can continue to nurture and celebrate the success stories of their alumni.

Source : Stephanie Edem Klutsey

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has concluded a two-day stakeholders’ validation workshop on the Revised National Urban Policy (NUP 2025–2034) and its Implementation Plan. The event, held from August 14 to 15, 2025, at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra, marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to shape its urban development agenda for the next decade.

The workshop brought together representatives from key Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), academia, development partners, and urban governance experts. Participants reviewed and refined the draft policy to ensure it responds to Ghana’s evolving urbanisation challenges and is aligned with national priorities and global development frameworks.

The Revised NUP focuses on eight core objectives: promoting spatially balanced and sustainable urban population growth; ensuring effective land use planning and management; promoting climate resilience and environmental quality of life; enhancing urban economic development and city competitiveness; promoting diversified financing for urban infrastructure and services; investing in affordable social housing; promoting urban safety and security; and expanding access to urban infrastructure and services.

These objectives build on lessons from the first National Urban Policy, launched in 2012 following Ghana’s transition to a majority urban population in 2010. The original policy guided several major interventions, including the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP), the Local Government Capacity Support Project (LGCSP) and its successor, the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP), the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP), and the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID). These initiatives improved infrastructure, spatial planning, mobility, slum upgrading, disaster risk reduction, and access to social amenities.

Speaking at the closing session on behalf of the Ministry, the Director of Local Governance and Decentralisation, Pln. Samuel Seth Passah, expressed appreciation to participants for their active engagement and valuable input. He highlighted that the validated NUP would serve as a forward-looking framework for sustainable, spatially integrated, and well-managed urban growth, providing opportunities for all citizens, enhancing infrastructure efficiency, and improving the quality of life across Ghana’s cities and towns.

The way forward will see the Ministry consolidating all recommendations from the workshop, finalising the policy internally, and securing management endorsement. This will pave the way for the preparation of a Cabinet Memorandum and the submission of the policy for Cabinet approval. Upon approval, the Ministry will proceed with the nationwide launch and dissemination of the NUP, ensuring that stakeholders across the country are fully equipped to implement its provisions and steer Ghana towards a more sustainable and well-managed urban future.

With the policy in place, the country is laying the foundation for cities that work for everyone, where opportunities are accessible, infrastructure is efficient, and the quality of life is improved for all.

SOURCE: Sandra Owusu Asamoah

MLGCRA PR UNIT