Local Government Minister Dan Botwe has called for a well-coordinated and integrated approach toward promoting development in the Northern and Oti Regions.
The minister made the call at the maiden Regional Development Forum held in Tamale and organised by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), with support from the World Bank.
The forum was to engage key stakeholders on key issues impacting development and resilience in the northern part of the country considering several development interventions that successive governments have designed and implemented over the years.
He said the northern part of Ghana is exposed to severe climatic conditions, which have affected the livelihoods of people, mostly in the areas of agriculture.
The exposure of these communities to extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought, has led to destruction of farmlands, food crops, livestock and in some cases, human lives and property, according to Mr. Botwe
The event, among other things, discussed the US$150million credit facility of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, meant to impact over 1500 communities in the Northern Region.
The fund was also to provide an opportunity to assess progress and perspectives on how to ensure rapid socio-economic development in a well-coordinated, harmonised and sustainable manner.
The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, being implemented under the aegis of the Local Government Ministry in 48 MMDAs across the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North-East and Oti Regions. “We need to strengthen local institutions and enhance the voices, influence and ability of vulnerable people to act and play a role in prioritising local development investments and promoting social cohesion and trust in their communities,” the minister noted.
An agricultural economist, Prof. Ramatu Mahama, said social protection programmes for building absorptive capacity need to be integrated into local government programmes to achieve the set goals.
Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu commended NDPC and the Local Government Ministry for the initiative which seeks to curb poverty and unemployment.
Vice Chairperson of the NDPC David Quaye Annang said the commission was committed toward bringing holistic and inclusive development in the northern sector for economic growth.
