The European Union (EU) in collaboration with the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has formally launched phase one of a €15million Sustainable Cities Project to improve urban sustainability and prosperity for all in six cities in the northern part of Ghana.
The project will be implemented by Expertise France in the five regional capitals including Tamale, Damongo, Wa, Bolgatanga, Nalerigu and the secondary city of Yendi over a period of 58 months beginning from March 2024, to December 31, 2028.
The intervention when successfully implemented, will address issues of Governance, Green Economic Growth, Solid Waste Management, Water Access and Recreational Spaces as well as Promoting Inclusivity and Gender Equality in those areas.
The EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, in his remarks highlighted that the first phase will focus on urban planning, local accountability, and sound public finance management.
He added the initiative aims to improve and develop strong, sustainable, and inclusive municipal services in the six targeted cities on key issues such as urban solid waste segregation, shared access to water and recreational spaces.
Mr. Razaaly added that the project will provide critical support to other national key institutions such as the Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Water Company or other agencies, intimating this will strengthen their policies for sustainable urban development in the country and develop better data-driven urban planning mechanisms.
“For the citizens of these urban areas, it will concretely mean cleaner cities, less trash burning, better access to clean water and more play grounds for children” the Ambassador emphasized.
Over the years, the Northern ecological zone has been faced with numerous infrastructure deficits coupled with lack of economic opportunities compared to the southern part of the country, to the negative impact of climate change in recent periods.
For his part, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, in a speech read on his behalf by the North East Regional Minister, Yidana Zakari, indicated the beneficiary municipalities have been characterized by rapid expansion in the northern part of the country, which require an urgent intervention for these cities to grow in a sustainable and inclusive and climate resilient manner.
“The United Nation’s agenda for sustainable development goal 11 which is to make cities inclusive, safe and resilient and sustainable identifies sustainable urbanization as one of the key priorities for over development.
“The adoption of the new urban agenda in 2016 has engendered national and local government around the world to embark on a transformative path towards making SDG 11 a reality. We therefore see the implementation of this project as a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, noted the significance of this multimillion Euro initiative cannot be overemphasized, adding this will therefore address the teething social and economic inequalities.
