The Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) guidelines alongside a new Community Action Planning (CAP) guideline have been successfully launched.

These guidelines are set to enhance planning at both regional and local levels, not only addressing national development goals but to empower communities to build resilience and adapt to climate challenges.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme, the Resilience Against Climate Change (REACH) project both under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and in partnership the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

In a ceremonial launch held in Accra, key representatives from Ministry of Finance (MoF), NDPC, Land Use and Spatial Planning (LUSPA), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and development partners were present to underscore the importance of these guidelines.

The MTDP guidelines offer a framework to support district assemblies in their four-year planning cycles ensuring that strategic planning aligns with national priorities. In addition to the MTDP guidelines, the new Community Action Planning (CAP) guideline, supported by the REACH project, establishes a standardized process for developing action plans at the community level.

This guideline empowers local communities by helping to integrate local insights, building a stronger foundation for plans that prepare them for climate impacts. By including themes such as climate adaptation, gender responsiveness, and children’s welfare, these guidelines promote a holistic approach to regional and national development.

The PAIReD programme and the REACH project are committed to supporting NDPC to build a more inclusive, responsive, and impactful planning environment for Ghana. Through a partnership rooted in transparency and accountability, they are paving the way for a resilient future, where strategic development initiatives serve as a foundation for prosperity and equitable progress across all regions of Ghana.

Speaking at the launch, Lilian Baeka the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council Chief Director stated “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”.

Astrid Kohl PAIReD Programme Director highlighted in her speech “the German Development Cooperation in Ghana, particularly through the PAIReD programme and the REACH project, emphasize the importance of participatory governance and accountability. An integrated planning approach that aligns development plans with expenditure management and land use planning is central for achieving sustainable development and equity”.

The programme Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) supports public institutions in Ghana in implementing citizen-oriented, trustworthy and accountable governance structures at national and local level.

On the other hand, PAIReD supports the capacity development of its partners for making the public revenue system and public expenditure management more transparent, fairer and more effective.