The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project has organised a five-day orientation workshop for newly appointed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and their Coordinating Directors to strengthen leadership and improve project delivery at the local level.

The training, held from 17th to 23rd August 2025 in Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa, brought together representatives from the 48 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) implementing the Project. It provided participants with practical knowledge and tools to oversee the Project’s interventions in their jurisdictions.

The orientation was structured into two key sessions. The first consisted of formal presentations led by consultants from the Project Implementation Unit and officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. These sessions covered technical areas such as financial management, procurement, safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, reporting systems, and the Local Economic Development (LED) Grant process.
The second session was interactive and practical — participants were divided into groups to deliberate on challenges encountered in earlier phases of implementation and propose strategies for improving results in the upcoming cycle.

Opening the training in Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Ali Adolf John Nburidilba, reminded MMDCEs of their responsibility to lead with transparency and ensure that communities fully embrace and take ownership of SOCO interventions. His call was echoed by other regional ministers, who emphasised timely delivery of projects, community inclusion, and the need for competent contractors to be engaged. The Oti Regional Minister, Hon. Gyapong, called for timely release of funds; the North East Regional Minister, Hon. Tia Ibrahim, stressed the need for competent contractors; and the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, described the workshop as an opportunity to strengthen local capacity and inclusive service delivery.

On behalf of his colleagues, the Wa Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaj Nurah Issa Dawsana, expressed appreciation to the Ministry and the PIU for the training. He noted that the sessions had deepened their knowledge of SOCO’s systems and strengthened their readiness to ensure results in their districts.

The SOCO Project Coordinator, Madam Elizabeth Ohenewah Adjei, closed the sessions with a call for commitment, stressing that the success of the Project depends on the active role of MMDCEs and their teams in coordinating and monitoring activities at the community level.

The SOCO Project continues to invest in capacity building as a core part of its strategy. By strengthening the leadership of MMDCEs and Coordinating Directors, the Project is ensuring that resilience, accountability, and community ownership remain at the heart of its implementation.