The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly have received a significant boost in their quest to enhance data-driven planning and sustainable urban development through a two-day capacity-building workshop under the Ghana Smart Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Cities Programme.
The orientation workshop, which focused on Voluntary Local Review (VLR) Data and Spatial Survey Tools, forms part of a national initiative designed to strengthen local governance systems and promote smart city development across selected metropolitan and municipal assemblies in Ghana.
Organized with technical support from UN-Habitat, and financial backing from the Government of Norway and the Government of Ghana, the programme seeks to build institutional capacity, promote digitization, and empower local authorities to align their development priorities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking during the session, Ms. Abena Ntori, Country Manager for UN-Habitat, underscored the importance of practical implementation of the Smart SDG Cities Programme to ensure its real impact is felt among citizens. She noted that while the introduction of smart tools and systems was crucial, the ultimate success of the initiative depended on the extent to which residents could see tangible improvements in their living conditions.
“Our interventions should lead to citizens recognizing that our cities have indeed become smart,” Ms. Ntori emphasized, urging the participating Assemblies to integrate digital innovations into their operational frameworks to enhance service delivery, planning, and transparency.
Delivering an address on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. George Ofori-Atta, Principal Economist, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting data-driven planning mechanisms across Ghana’s decentralized governance structures. He stressed that accurate and reliable data were vital to formulating effective local development strategies, tracking progress, and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
“Without quality data, it becomes difficult to design and monitor impactful interventions at the local level,” he stated, noting that initiatives such as the Smart SDG Cities Programme provide the right foundation for evidence-based governance.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Francis Dwira-Darko, Metropolitan Coordinating Director of the KMA, expressed appreciation to the organizers and partners for the initiative. He assured that the Assembly would fully commit to the implementation of the Smart Cities agenda in Kumasi, emphasizing that the Assembly’s leadership viewed the programme as a catalyst for improving urban management and citizen engagement.
“This workshop has equipped us with valuable tools and knowledge to improve how we collect, analyze, and use data to plan effectively for Kumasi’s growth. The KMA will give its best to ensure that the Smart Cities vision becomes a reality,” Mr. Dwira-Darko affirmed.
The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme aims to transform urban management in ten selected cities across the country by fostering innovation, promoting digital transformation, and enhancing sustainability. The programme aligns with Ghana’s broader national commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in areas such as sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and institutional strengthening.
By empowering the KMA and Obuasi Municipal Assembly with the right tools, knowledge, and partnerships, the initiative marks another step forward in Ghana’s journey toward building smarter, more inclusive, and resilient cities capable of driving socio-economic progress for all.
