The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, has lauded a landmark partnership between the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, describing it as a critical step toward resolving long-standing boundary challenges and fostering coordinated urban development in the Greater Tamale Area.
The Minister made these remarks at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held in Tamale on Saturday, April 11, 2026 under the auspices of the European Union and implemented with technical support from Expertise France.
The agreement seeks to enhance inter-jurisdictional coordination between the two Assemblies, which have over the years grappled with administrative and territorial disputes following the creation of the Sagnarigu Municipality out of the original Tamale Metropolitan Assembly.
Addressing dignitaries, including the EU Ambassador to Ghana and other stakeholders, Hon. Ali Adolf John expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly improve urban governance, planning systems, and public service delivery in the area.
βThis important event marks a new chapter in strengthening coordinated urban governance through an integrated and sustainable approach,β he stated.
He commended the European Union for its continuous support to the Northern Region, noting that its interventions have been both timely and impactful in addressing development challenges.
βOn behalf of the Chiefs and People of the Northern Region, we are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to supporting our development aspirations. This initiative is certainly not the first and will not be the last,β he added.
The Minister acknowledged the existence of unresolved boundary and territorial issues between the Tamale Metropolitan and Sagnarigu Municipal Assemblies, attributing them to overlapping administrative and traditional demarcations across shared urban settlements.
βThese issues have created some level of animosity between the two districts and have remained unresolved for years. However, this MoU provides a framework to address these challenges through structured collaboration,β he noted.
As part of the agreement, the two Assemblies will establish an Inter-jurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC) and a Technical Committee to facilitate dialogue, harmonize planning processes, and identify shared development priorities.
Hon. Ali Adolf John urged both Assemblies to leverage the opportunity to pursue joint development planning, particularly in addressing pressing issues such as sanitation and road infrastructure.
βIt is imperative that both Assemblies work together to tackle sanitation challenges and develop solutions that accommodate waste generated across the two jurisdictions. Similarly, road networks that cut across both districts must be designed and executed in a coordinated manner,β he emphasized.
He stressed that the efficient delivery of public goods including roads, water, sanitation, and electricity depends heavily on effective coordination across jurisdictions.
The Minister further highlighted the significance of Ghanaβs longstanding partnership with the European Union, describing it as a symbol of mutual respect and shared commitment to development.
He noted that the project would facilitate the establishment of a Joint Development Planning Area (JDPA) in line with national legislation and guidance from the National Development Planning Commission, ensuring proper spatial planning and technical collaboration on cross-boundary issues.
Hon. Ali Adolf John also assured stakeholders of the Northern Regional Coordinating Councilβs commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the MoU.
βAs an institution mandated to coordinate and monitor the activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, we will ensure that the tenets of this MoU are fully executed,β he affirmed.
The European Union Ambassador, Rune Skinnebach, who witnessed the ceremony, underscored the urgency of coordinated urban governance as cities expand beyond administrative boundaries. He praised the establishment of the Interjurisdictional Coordination Management Committee (ICMC), describing it as a forward-looking mechanism to ensure harmony, efficiency, and improved service delivery across Greater Tamale.
Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, Ambassador Skinnebach noted that effective collaboration between neighbouring assemblies is essential to tackling shared challenges. He emphasized that the ICMC is not an additional bureaucratic layer but a practical tool to align planning, strengthen dialogue, and drive joint action in key sectors such as spatial planning and waste management.
Mayor of Tamale, Hon. Alhaji Abubakari Adam Takoro, highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing critical development challenges such as climate change, water and sanitation, and food security. He stressed that only through coordinated action can sustainable improvements in citizensβ well-being be achieved.
Similarly, the Municipal Chief Executive for Sagnarigu, Hon. Abdulai Imoro Gong, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that it would significantly enhance urban governance, improve service delivery, and unlock development opportunities within the Greater Tamale Metropolitan Area.
The signing of the MoU is expected to mark a turning point in inter-district collaboration, setting a precedent for addressing urban governance challenges in Ghanaβs rapidly growing cities.