Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu speaking at a media engagement on Thursday, 14 November, 2024 described the SOCO program as a ‘Game Changer’, noting that 48 out of 58 sub-projects have been fully completed including classroom blocks, CHPS compounds, markets, road networks, and social facilities like youth homes, which are already being utilized by communities. and will be handed over to beneficiary communities soon.
The minister also announced that the northern region will benefit from 73 sub-projects in the second year, focusing on educational and health infrastructure, water, electricity, and playgrounds.
On the part of the Local Economic Development (LED), the minister revealed that, training and equipment have been provided to groups such as hairdressers and processors to boost economic growth.
The Zonal Coordinator of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, Mr. Samuel Forson, has announced that the project’s first year has been extremely successful, with some projects already handed over to district assemblies for use. He revealed that the remaining projects are over 90% complete.
Mr. Forson highlighted several completed sub-projects from Year One of the SOCO Project in the Northern Region, including:
A six-unit classroom block at Polarido, Tatale Sanguli District, a 12-seater institutional toilet with handwashing facilities and a fenced wall at Shishegu, Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, a double box culvert (2.0m x 3.0m, 8m length) at Walyapala, Yendi Municipal Assembly, the construction of a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound with a three-bedroom nursesβ accommodation at Nasande, Gushiegu Municipal Assembly, a three-unit classroom block with an office, a store, and a four-seater KVIP toilet at Zakoli, Yendi Municipal Assembly and the construction of three 20-unit market sheds and paving of a 563.5 square meter area at Sheini, Tatale District, among others.
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The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project aims to improve regional collaboration and socio-economic resilience in border-zone communities across Ghana, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo. With a $150 million facility from the World Bank, the project will deliver resilient community infrastructure and assets through a Community-Driven Development approach.
The project’s success is a testament to the power of community-driven development and collaboration. As the project continues to grow and expand, it’s exciting to see the positive impact it will have on the lives of individuals and communities in the region.