International development partners engage Northern Ghana for strategic collaboration

A high-powered delegation has gathered in Tamale for a two-day conference.

The group includes representatives from the World Bank, United Nations, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. This event is called the Northern Ghana Deep Dive. Its goal is to strengthen ties with the new government.

The UK High Commission organized this forum. It aims to enhance collaboration among development partners. The focus is on aligning international objectives with local priorities. The forum also seeks to foster effective partnerships with government stakeholders.

Policymakers, government representatives, and international agencies attended to discuss key challenges. They aim to unlock Northern Ghana’s potential.

Despite progress in governance and human development over 20 years, Northern Ghana still struggles. It lags behind in multidimensional poverty indicators compared to southern regions.

The 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Report identifies five northern regions as the poorest. These areas face inadequate healthcare, education, livelihoods, and employment opportunities.

However, Northern Ghana offers significant opportunities for investment and climate action.

Richard Sandall is the Development Director at the British High Commission. He spoke about the importance of direct engagement in Northern Ghana.

“Northern Ghana is crucial for Ghana's development agenda,” he said. “We needed to come together in Tamale to listen and understand.”

The delegation met with 19 civil society organizations and international NGOs during the forum. These groups outlined priority areas such as health, education, agriculture, climate change, and governance.

Sandall emphasized that better coordination among stakeholders is essential. “We need to improve cooperation to maximize impact,” he stated.

Business leaders highlighted investment prospects in Tamale and nearby areas. They pointed out opportunities in motorbike sales and hospitality sectors.

Traditional chiefs also played an important role in discussions about community development.

The delegation met with officials from various ministries to align priorities and strategies. Sandall noted that their goals match those of the government’s focus on decentralization.

“We’ve heard that their priorities align with ours,” he said. “They aim to reduce regional inequality and improve coordination.”

This conference marks a significant step toward a unified approach for tackling development challenges in Northern Ghana. International partners are committed to working closely with local stakeholders for sustainable progress.