The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr. Dan Botwe, has noted that the numerous projects and programmes implemented in the Northern part of Ghana over the years are not reflecting in the lives of the people due to poor coordination.
“You will agree with me that the northern part of Ghana constituting Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savannah and North East Regions have seen various development Programmes and Projects financed by Government and Development Partners. …Notwithstanding these development interventions, the impact on the citizenry in this part of our country still leaves much to be desired,” he bemoaned.
Mr. Dan Botwe asserted that the major challenge has been that these interventions are mostly fragmented, uncoordinated, siloed and not properly tracked to ascertain the progress and obtain evidence for policy direction and decision making.
The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere Constituency made these remarks when he addressed the maiden Regional Development Dialogue held in Tamale last week.
The event was on the theme: “A Policy Thrust: Achieving Equitable and Balanced Development through Effective Project Delivery in Northern Ghana”.
SOCO Project
Addressing participants, Mr. Dan Botwe pointed out that the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project being implemented under the aegis of his Ministry in 48 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North-East and Oti Regions, is a Game Changer.
He noted the SOCO Project makes it a priority to strengthen local institutions and enhance the voices, influence, and ability of vulnerable people (including youth) to act and play a role in prioritizing local development investments and promoting social cohesion and trust in their communities.
Indeed, in line with Articles 34-36 as well as Article 240 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr. Dan Botwe emphasised the need to ensure equitable and balanced development in Ghana and “for the purposes of this Forum, northern part of Ghana cannot be over-emphasised. Section 12 (5) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) as amended (Act 940) stipulates that a District Assembly shall coordinate, integrate, and harmonise the execution of programmes, and projects under approved development plans for the district and other development programmes promoted or carried out by Ministries, Departments, public corporations and other statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations in the district.”
The minister reiterated that all development interventions being implemented within the jurisdiction of any District Assembly must be in tandem with its Medium Term Development Plan and Annual Action Plan to ensure harmony and efficiency.
Consensus building
Meanwhile, the forum provided a platform for dialogue among key stakeholders in the region on critical development issues impacting resilience and consensus building as well as chart a common path towards realization of relevant development aspirations devoid of sensationalism and partisan politics.
In her keynote address, Prof Ramatu Mahama Al-Hassan, argued that equitable development is one that removes barriers and expands opportunities for low-income areas and local economies.
According to her, development success itself is achieving wellbeing, meaning that individuals, households, and communities perceive that their lives are going well.
The Professor of Agricultural Economics added that the role of public policy in catalysing wellbeing through equitable and balanced development in the Northern Region.
This, she added, is to ensure that everyone can build knowledge and skills, access safe and affordable economic and social resources, and opportunities for generating income, and accumulate assets.
