A joint mission organised by the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) was dispatched to Ghana to prioritise and advance high-impact infrastructure projects in critical sectors such as energy, water, and transportation.

The mission sought to engage in discussions regarding the outstanding issues related to both ongoing and emerging projects, programmes, and initiatives. The primary objective of the EU and EIB mission was to support the Government of Ghana in refining and prioritizing its infrastructure investment portfolio.

This strategic approach is intended to ensure that EU and EIB funds are allocated efficiently to projects that offer optimal financial and developmental outcomes. Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU and EIB are integrating EU grants and sovereign guarantees with EIB concessional loans to create highly advantageous financing packages.

 These financial structures are designed to align with International Monetary Fund (IMF) requirements while enabling the release of additional grants for each infrastructure project supported under this initiative.

The mission team informed the Ministry about a dedicated regional envelope to complement the Government of Ghana's funding allocations for various projects. The team acknowledged that Ghana's enduring partnership with the EU and EIB has already yielded significant results in areas such as decentralisation, local governance, energy, sanitation, and waste management.

The ongoing EU-Ghana Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Cities Programme, established under the Joint Programming framework (2021–2027), continues to provide both financial and technical support aimed at enhancing infrastructure in urban centres. This aligns seamlessly with the government's broader vision of fostering smart and sustainable cities.

As part of these continued efforts, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) is overseeing the African Sustainable Cities Initiative (ASCI). Funded by the EIB, this initiative focuses on strengthening urban resilience and enhancing the financial sustainability of selected cities across Ghana, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda.

In Ghana, the initiative identifies Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale, and Techiman Metropolitan Assemblies as beneficiaries, selected for their potential for economic growth and pressing infrastructure needs.

The ASCI aims to support these metropolitan areas in identifying and implementing investment-ready, high-impact infrastructure projects that align with Ghana’s national priorities and international frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda.

Moreover, the ASCI will facilitate a feasibility study for the development of the Tamale, Damongo, and Yendi Water Projects, which aim to address persistent water supply challenges in the northern regions of Ghana. Additionally, the initiative will assist the Ministry in finalising the feasibility study for the construction of three Feacal Sludge Treatment Plants in Yendi, Bolgatanga, and Wa.

These collaborative efforts are anticipated to maximise the impact of available resources while reinforcing Ghana’s strategic partnership with the EU and EIB. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that these initiatives deliver transformative urban infrastructure, thereby improving the quality of life across the nation.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with UN-Habitat, convened a high-level Oversight Committee Meeting on the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme to assess progress and reaffirm commitment toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

Held in Accra, the session featured comprehensive presentations on the status of implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and next steps in the rollout of the Smart SDG Cities framework. Representatives from MLGCRA, UN-Habitat, and key Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) shared their respective workplans and strategic priorities.

Focal Persons from both UN-Habitat and MLGCRA led deliberations, ensuring alignment with global SDG benchmarks while emphasizing Ghana’s contextual realities. The meeting forms part of continuous stakeholder engagements to accelerate progress on smart urban innovations, digital infrastructure, and climate-responsive planning under the broader Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme.

The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme is a flagship initiative designed to localize the Sustainable Development Goals through data-driven governance, integrated planning, and community-focused solutions in rapidly growing urban areas.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The Government of Liberia has officially concluded its three-day South-South Exchange Learning Visit to Ghana with resounding commendation for Ghana’s leadership in implementing the United Nations Capital Development Fund’s (UNCDF) Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) mechanism.

Held from April 23 to 25, 2025, the study tour marked the final phase of a comprehensive knowledge exchange programme that brought together senior officials from Liberia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), alongside technical experts from UNCDF.

The closing debriefing session, chaired by Pln. Samuel Seth Passah, Director of the Local Government Directorate at MLGCRA, created space for reflection, feedback, and renewed commitment between the two countries. “This exchange has allowed us to view our work through a new lens,” Mr. Passah noted. “We welcome the feedback received and are committed to using it to further strengthen our local climate adaptation systems. Ghana stands ready to support Liberia as a long-term knowledge partner in this journey.”

Hon. Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning at Liberia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, speaking on behalf of the Liberian delegation, expressed deep appreciation for Ghana’s hospitality, transparency, and openness throughout the exchange. “We are truly inspired by the level of coordination, technical rigour, and community participation we have witnessed here,” he remarked. “From robust infrastructure delivery to inclusive planning, Ghana has demonstrated what it means to translate climate finance into results. These best practices will help shape our own rollout of the LoCAL mechanism in Liberia.”

During the tour, the Liberian team visited several LoCAL-funded project sites across the Ada East District in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region, observing practical, on-the-ground examples of climate adaptation. These included mechanised water systems addressing rural water insecurity, solar-powered irrigation for smallholder farmers, polyhouse farming innovations, and flood-resistant road infrastructure, each a clear demonstration of how climate action can be integrated into local development planning.

Key takeaways from the exchange included the importance of aligning climate adaptation investments with local development priorities, strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring timely and quality delivery of infrastructure, and building strong technical capacity, particularly in engineering and supervision. Mr. Mulbah emphasized that these insights will directly inform the development of Liberia’s LoCAL implementation roadmap, with an emphasis on sustainability, accountability, and community ownership.

The exchange also provided a platform to explore how Liberia can effectively deploy Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) in alignment with its ARREST Agenda, the national policy framework focusing on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. Discussions reinforced the importance of community-centred design, transparent resource flows, and active inter-governmental collaboration as pillars of effective decentralised climate action.

Ghana’s own success in this space, strengthened by the LoCAL-ACE and GrEEn projects, served as a practical reference point. Through these initiatives, Ghana has delivered not only climate-resilient infrastructure but also green employment and enterprise opportunities in targeted districts across the Ashanti and Western Regions.

The South-South exchange between Ghana and Liberia has reaffirmed the potential of intra-African collaboration to accelerate climate action at the local level. Through this partnership, both countries have strengthened their resolve to empower vulnerable communities, protect critical ecosystems, and build a future anchored in resilience, equity, and sustainable development.

Source: Sandra Owusu Asamoah/Melody Hini-Amoako

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)