Ghana unveils new development guidelines to tackle climate change and strengthen local planning

The government has unveiled two critical planning frameworks designed to reshape regional and local development across Ghana, with a strong emphasis on resilience and climate adaptation. 

Launched in Accra on Tuesday (5 November), the new Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) and Community Action Planning (CAP) guidelines mark a collaborative step forward for Ghana’s sustainable future.

Gathering key representatives from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), and officials from Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), the event underscored a united push for progress. 

International partners, including the European Union (EU), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), showed their commitment to supporting resilient, community-focused planning in Ghana.

The MTDP guidelines set out a comprehensive framework for district assemblies, anchoring their planning processes in four-year cycles aligned with national priorities. 

Meanwhile, the CAP guidelines—developed through the Resilience Against Climate Change (REACH) project—standardise community-level planning, integrating climate adaptation, gender responsiveness, and child welfare into local decision-making. 

Together, these guidelines reflect a strategic vision that is both inclusive and forward-looking.

Speaking at the launch, Astrid Kohl, Programme Director of the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) initiative, underscored the importance of participatory governance. 

“The German Development Cooperation in Ghana, particularly through the PAIReD programme and the REACH project, emphasises the importance of participatory governance and accountability,” she said.

Lilian Baeka, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, stressed the role of robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure these plans translate into tangible impacts. 

“By establishing clear mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, we can ensure that our plans are not only well-formulated but also effectively implemented, translating into real benefits for our communities,” Baeka stated.

The MTDP and CAP guidelines represent a collaborative effort within the PAIReD programme. 

Together with the REACH project, led by BMZ and co-financed by the EU and SECO, these initiatives aim to embed accountability and resilience at the heart of Ghana’s development agenda.

Reporting by Caleb Ahinakwah in Greater Accra

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