Ghana is embarking on a historic journey to transform its road infrastructure management and improvement with the official launch of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP-2024). This initiative by the Government of Ghana is set to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the tools and resources needed to enhance road networks across the country.

The launch event, held at the Black Star Square on the 31^{st of} July, 2024 by H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, witnessed the convergence of key stakeholders, dignitaries, and media representatives, to mark the beginning of a new era in Ghana’s road infrastructural development. The initiative, a cornerstone of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision for national progress, was unveiled.

A Vision for Enhanced Connectivity

Over the past four years, President Akufo-Addo has repeatedly emphasized the critical role of infrastructure in the nation’s development. From his annual State of the Nation Addresses to budget presentations, the President has laid the groundwork for DRIP-2024. This program is designed to address the pressing need for road maintenance and construction equipment in MMDAs, fostering sustainable improvements that will enhance connectivity and spur economic growth.

Empowering Local Authorities

DRIP-2024 aims to provide MMDAs with state-of-the-art equipment and technical training, thereby improving their capacity for road maintenance and construction. By equipping local authorities with these vital resources, the program ensures that road projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards. The resulting improvements in road quality and connectivity will facilitate better access to essential services, markets, and economic opportunities.

Job Creation and Skills Development

One of the standout features of DRIP-2024 is its potential to create approximately 4,480 direct jobs. These positions, ranging from operators and mechanics to support staff and management roles, will offer valuable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. In addition to job creation, the program will provide extensive training in mechanical engineering, hydraulic systems, and electronic systems diagnosis, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and operating the new equipment.

Economic Empowerment and Agricultural Productivity

Improved road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth. By enhancing connectivity, DRIP-2024 will enable local entrepreneurs to establish and grow businesses, increasing access to markets and boosting agricultural productivity. Farmers will benefit from better transportation routes, reducing post-harvest losses and expanding their reach to urban markets. This will not only increase incomes but also enhance food security across the nation.

Sustainable Development and Local Ownership

The success of DRIP-2024 hinges on robust governance and sustainable practices. The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation & Rural Development (MLGDRD) will oversee the project’s implementation, ensuring that all activities adhere to high standards of transparency and inclusivity. Local ownership and responsibility are key pillars of the program, fostering a sense of accountability and community involvement in the maintenance and improvement of road infrastructure.

A Collaborative Effort

1. A. Plantpool Ghana Limited, a leading provider of high-quality machinery and equipment, is at the helm of managing the DRIP-2024 project. Their expertise in operational efficiency and commitment to excellence will ensure that the program’s objectives are met. The collaboration between J. A. Plantpool, MLGDRD, and MMDAs exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in driving national development.

Looking Ahead

As Ghana embarks on this transformative journey, the launch of DRIP-2024 marks a significant milestone in the nation’s quest for sustainable development. The program promises to revolutionize road infrastructure, creating a ripple effect of economic empowerment, job creation, and improved quality of life for residents across the country.

With DRIP-2024, Ghana is not just building roads; it is paving the way for a brighter, more connected future. The impact of this initiative will be felt for generations to come, as improved infrastructure lays the foundation for continued growth and prosperity.

Source:                DARLING MAAME EFUA CANN

                             (PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, MLGDRD)

In a move to foster bilateral relations and deepen cooperation between Ghana and Angola, the Angolan Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. João Domingos Baptista Quiosa, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, on the 15^th August, 2024 at his office in Accra.

At the meeting, Ambassador Quiosa conveyed the intentions of the Angolan Minister for Territory Administration and State Reforms; extending an invitation for both countries to pay official reciprocal bilateral visits among the two countries. The purpose of the visit is for the two countries to learn firsthand from each other exemplary decentralisation processes, particularly Ghana’s track record on decentralisation which has been hailed as a success story across the continent.

The Angolan delegation seeks to gain insights into the mechanisms, policies, and strategies that have underpinned Ghana’s decentralisation achievements. Ambassador Quiosa emphasized that Angola is keen to replicate Ghana’s successes as it undertakes reforms aimed at enhancing local governance and state administration in their own country.

Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah expressed Ghana’s readiness to share its experiences and best practices with Angola. He welcomed the initiative, noting that such exchanges are vital for mutual growth and the strengthening of African solidarity. The Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two nations in achieving shared goals, particularly in the area of decentralisation, which plays a crucial role in national development.

The upcoming visit will not only focus on knowledge exchange but also explore potential areas for further collaboration between Ghana and Angola. Both parties expressed optimism that the visit will lead to a stronger partnership and contribute to the broader agenda of advancing good governance and development across Africa.

The courtesy call marks a significant step in enhancing diplomatic ties between Ghana and Angola, setting the stage for a future visit that promises to be fruitful for both countries.

Source:                DARLING MAAME EFUA CANN

                             (PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, MLGDRD)

The Adansi South District Assembly has benefited from three (3) cycles of the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, with the initial cycle resulting in the Construction of 2No diameter pipe culvert and spot improvement Bronikrom-Kwame Agyei feeder road (2.5 km) and Construction of 1No. Mechanized Borehole with 5,000L overhead tank at Drobonso. This intervention was carried out with a funding amount of Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventeen (GH₡406,817.00) Ghana Cedis under the GrEEn Project for the years 2022-2023.

Uder the 3^rd cycle, the District Assembly had a funding amount of Three Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Seven Ghana Cedis (GH₡322,927.00). It is on this basis that the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), on Saturday, August 10, handed over to the Nyamebekeyere community, 1.​Spot Improvement of Nyamebekyere Jn- Nyamebekyere feeder road (1.6km) with the Construction of 4No. 1⁄(900mm ) diameter pipe culvert and the drilling and Mechanisation of 1No. Mechanised Borehole at Nyamebekeyere.

As part of the project design, the GrEEn initiative engaged the local hands, including men and women from Nyamebekeyere for the construction of these very monumental sub-projects, under the Cash for Work component of the project.

Additionally, these individuals received capacity building in employable life skills through the Employability Life Skills Programme, which was facilitated by the leadership of SoS Children’s Villages (SoS). This training encompassed various areas, including soap making, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, among others.

Under the Cash for Work (CfW) component, a total of One Hundred and Thirty (130) community members have benefited and was graduated with certificates, consisting of Seventy-Nine (79) males and Fifty-Three (53) females.

The GrEEn initiative focuses on the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructures and investment projects in local communities, including improving water supply through provision of boreholes, constructing footbridges and culverts, setting up greenhouse nets, conducting awareness campaigns to educate the local communities, particularly women and farmers and enhancing their ability to withstand the impacts of climate change and various crises. It is funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)