The Mayor of Tamale Abdul Hanan Gundadow has said the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly will continue to dialogue with residents on any developmental activity to be undertaken in the Assembly.

“We have to understand that in Tamale if you want to undertake a successful programme in any community you need to get the residents to buy into the project before it will be successful," he stated.

He made the comment when he led contractors, consultants and members of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to engage with residents who are likely to be affected by the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Programme (GUMPP) soon to commence in Tamale.

The GUMPP project consists of the construction of storm drain and a retention pond in Gumani  to remedy perennial flooding which has over the years led to loss of human lives and properties in the Tamale metropolitan City and the Sagnerigu District assembly.

Other projects to be executed include the re-designing and construction of the Aboabo market and Lorry Park, rehabilitation of the Tamale Abattoir at Shishegu and the upgrading of Moshie-Zongo, Salamba and Tishegu Township.

The GUMPP is made possible under a Ghana-France collaboration with a loan facility of €40 million through the Agence France de Development (AFD).

Three other cities namely, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ho and Kumasi are also benefitting from the facility.

The visit took the team to Moshie-Zongo; Salamba and Tishegu where the Metropolitan Chief Executive met with opinion leaders and youth of the areas to sensitize them about the upcoming projects.

When the projects begin in these communities, access roads with drains and street lighting system will be created to give a face-lift to the communities. 

Residents of the communities have welcomed the move by the Tamale MCE saying it will help address the challenges they go through each year in the wet season.

They also assure the contractors of their support and cooperation towards a successful implementation of the project.