About 48 districts in six regions of the country will benefit from a US$450 million credit facility under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project, which was launched in Bolgatanga.
The project is intended to support the northern parts of the Gulf of Guinea countries, which suffer instabilities owing to food insecurity, climate change, conflict,
and violence.
It will be implemented in the Upper East, Northern, Upper West, North East, Savannah, and Oti regions. Other countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, will also benefit from the credit facility.
Launching the project in Bolgatanga, the Upper East regional capital, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia noted that “the project has been conceived and designed to address the effects of the spillover of conflicts and extremism from the Sahel region with its vulnerability, because of the exposure to the impact of
climate change, strengthen local institutions, improve economic opportunities, and build public trust.”
He also indicated that out of the total amount, US$150 million would be used to implement development projects in the 48 districts across the six regions.
The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, would ensure the implementation of the project in the districts.
Dr Bawumia said the project would focus mostly on communities in the Upper East Region, which has 15 municipalities and districts, and their residents, especially women and children, who are exposed to terrorist attacks.
“Thus the project focuses on dealing with issues relating to fragility, conflict, and violence. This is very significant as countries all over the world are pursuing strategies to address these challenges in view of the anticipated worsening of the situation if the necessary interventions are not promptly instituted,” he added.
While highlighting the relevance of this project, he cautioned the implementing agencies of the project both at the national and sub-national levels, stressing that implementation delays would not be tolerated.
He entreated implementers to remain committed to the due processes outlined in the project documents.
“Indeed, Ghana must ensure that the delivery of the project through the decentralised structures culminates in the outcomes and impacts contained in the
project appraisal document and implementation manual,” the Vice President said.
He also expressed profound gratitude to the World Bank for the credit facility, which is intended to complement the government’s efforts at building resilient humans.
On his part, the Country Director of the World Bank, Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, said the Bank was deeply committed to collaborating with the government through
the new Country Partnership Framework to address spatial and other inequalities, improve socio- economic and improve governance to promote inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
He further noted that the SOCO project has been designed to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the North to proactively prevent the
spread of conflict from the Sahel, reduce vulnerability to climate change, and strengthen local institutions.
The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Mr Daniel Kwaku Botwe, also pledged commitment to ensuring the project is properly supervised and completed in time.
“We will ensure that there is value for money and the aspirations of the people will be met. That is the assurance we can give,” he added.