Takoradi, Feb. 18, GNA – The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has officially out-doored the Twin-cities in Sustainable Partnership project aimed at enhancing the living conditions of people in the Metropolis.
The project, funded by the European Union (EU), has a three-year activity timeline including multi-level urban governance to enhance urban governance towards green inclusive and culturally sensitive integrated development.
Another focus would be on culturally sensitive and inclusive urban strategies to stimulate inclusion for all and sundry particularly the vulnerables in society.
Other focus would as well be on Urban Climate Change Resilience to contribute towards a sustainable and climate resilient city.
The €3million project would have the STMA as the lead implementers with partners such as the Municipality of Palermo in Italy, Cooperazione Internationale Did Sud, Ghana-Sicity Business Forum, and the Kumasi Technical University.
Speaking at the official launch of the project, Mr Isaac Aidoo, a Senior Development Planner of the STMA and Project Coordinator said the project was aimed at promoting integrated Urban development through Partnerships.
The project, he said, would enhance the capacities of cities involved to address challenges of Urban sprawl, climate change, unemployment, poverty, exclusion among others Social needs.
He said the STMA would concentrate on training the Community on Social accountability tools, integrated Urban governance and spatial planning, planting fruit trees, provid toilet facilities, organise transnational cultural festivals among the two cities.
The rest would be on youth and adolescent reproductive health and planting of ornamental trees, develop skills and entrepreneurship centre as well as introduction of eco-friendly facilities.
Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service commended the team for putting together the proposal for yeoman’s achievement adding, that their outcomes could help in achieving the SDGs eleven and seventeen.
He said the project was also key in the scheme of the decentralisation and local Governance and called for capacities to ensure that the project deliverables were well achieved.
Dr. Arthur also called for more in-country partnerships among the assemblies for shared experience, best practices, and growth.
Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister alluded to the Medium-Term Development Plan of the assembly and how timely the project was contributing to the equal opportunities for wealth for the people of the Metropolis.
He mentioned some government intervention such as the construction of roads, market, and the interchange to boost Urban activities.
The Minister also encouraged all assemblies in the Region to emulate the shining example of the STMA to become more responsive .
The Mayor of Palermo, Leoluca Orlando was pleased about the partnership that would promote sustainable cities, influence cultures, help curb discrimination and thus appreciated the team for the massive work done so far.
Mr Osei-Bonsu Amoah, the deputy minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development advised STMA to honour their side of the partnership by contributing five per cent of the budgeted amount to ensure the overall success of the project.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of the Essikado Traditional Area was happy that the partnership with Palermo would bring Ghanaians and people of that origin even closer adding, “this is all humanity is about devoid of divisiness.”
GNA