NDPC partners with UNDP to help District Assemblies prepare coronavirus recovery plans

Regional news for Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Source: GNA

2020-09-01

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The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), will support the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) to prepare COVID-19 recovery plans.

The institutions, in a joint statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said that as part of the initiative, NDPC would support five selected MMDAs to review and re-prioritize activities in their 2021 Annual Action Plans, prepare plans of recovery and improve resilience against local and external shocks.

The statement said the initiative was also expected to generate new knowledge and lessons to inform the next Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (2022-2025).

He said that the process would be inclusive with the participation of local businesses, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, youth groups and religious organizations.

“While the impact of COVID-19 has been largely negative, we see the District Recovery Plans initiative as a great opportunity for districts to unite government, businesses and communities to revitalize businesses and build resilient local economies. and inclusive, ”said Dr. Kodjo Esseim Mensah– Abrampa, Managing Director of NDPC.

The statement said that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the local and global economy through its effects on trade and investment, local and foreign travel, health systems, education systems and business operations.

He said that the effects of the pandemic were manifested at the metropolitan, municipal and district levels in the form of business closures, loss of family income and a decrease in human well-being and well-being, especially among poor, vulnerable and marginalized population groups. .

He noted that, as part of the recovery efforts, the Government had developed the Ghana COVID Alleviation and Revitalization Enterprise Support (Ghana CARES) program to stabilize and revitalize the economy.

The statement said that the GH ¢ 100 billion development initiative to mitigate the economic challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and to anchor the transformation of Ghanaian society was laudable.

He said that given their proximity to communities and understanding of socio-economic and cultural contexts, MMDAs would play a leading role in translating Ghana’s CARES program into action at the local level.

He hinted that they would also support taking steps to build resilience in the face of similar future events.

“Districts have an essential role to play in rebuilding better amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We see this partnership as critical because it brings together key stakeholders to support MMDAs in prioritizing their activities to facilitate the recovery process, ”said Silke Hollander, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ghana.

The statement said that activities under the initiative will run from September to November 2020 and the pilot districts will be the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, the South Ketu Municipal Assembly, the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly, the Sagnarigu District Assembly. and the Kassena-Nankan West District Assembly.