In a significant boost to infrastructure development, the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project has invested a remarkable GH¢184,777,742.07 in 530 projects across 48 districts within its 6 implementation regions in its first year.
The funded projects span a diverse range of sectors, including education, health, and water sanitation and hygiene, connectivity, and natural resources management, local economic development, climate adaptation, youth development among others.
Each initiative aims to address critical needs in the communities served, ensuring that essential services are accessible and sustainable.
Out of the 530 projects, the Upper West Region has completed 97 sub-projects out of 109 in the first year of implementation of the SOCO project.
This was disclosed by the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, at a media engagement in Wa on Friday, November 15, 2024.
“Under the project we have seen substantial investment in key sectors that directly impact the wellbeing of our people. In education, 16 schools have been constructed, ensuring that more children have access to quality education. The health sector has also seen significant improvement within 14 health facilities built enhancing healthcare for our people.
“17 rural markets have been built, providng opportunities for local traders and boosting economic growth in these communities. 4 rural roads and culverts have been constructed, facilitating better connectivity and access within the region. The project has also had a positive impact on water and sanitation with 43 WASH facilities and 1 toilet facility built to improve hygyeine and access to clean water in underserved communities.
“Additionally, 10 youth engagement activities have been implemented, offering valuable opportunity for young people to engage in meaningful activities and skill development. 3 small earth dams. In total these efforts have culminated in the 109 that have been implemented so far in the Upper West Region,” Mr Yakubu stated.
The media engagement allowed the SOCO Secretariat to update the media on the project's activities within its first year of implementation.
“Notable achievements include 33 roads and culverts, 59 classroom blocks with teachers’ accommodation, 73 rural markets, 66 health facilities, and 210 water systems,” Mr Yakubu stated.
He mentioned that one of the most tangible impacts of SOCO Project has been the generation of over 6200 jobs across its operational areas.
“And these includes 3800 unskilled labour opportunities, 2000 skilled labour positions and 426 Community Facilitators roles,” Mr Yakubu added.
Mr. Yakubu emphasized that the SOCO Project focuses not only on infrastructure and economic development but also on reinforcing social cohesion, peace, and unity.
He stated that the project also prioritized the prevention of violent extremism, especially during politically sensitive periods.
“He advanced that 8 new sports facilities have been built serving over 8000 people, serving over 8000 people offering a platform for youth engagement and community interaction. 20 SOCO games sporting events and 15 cultural festivals have brought diverse communities together, fostering unity and mutual understanding.”
Mr Stephen Yakubu further mentioned that, based on the success of the SOCO project so far, the government is considering requesting additional funding to extend the project to the remaining 16 non beneficiary districts in the 6 implementing regions.
Mr. David Yankey, the Zonal Coordinator for SOCO in the Upper West Region, urged journalists to provide valuable feedback to enhance project implementation effectively.
The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project aims to enhance regional collaboration and strengthen the socio-economic and climate resilience of border communities in the northern regions of Gulf of Guinea countries that are vulnerable to conflict and climate-related risks.
The SOCO project is being implemented in six regions in northern Ghana: the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, and Oti Regions. Forty-eight districts (MMDAs) are benefiting from a total of US$150 million, which is part of a larger US$450 million facility provided by the World Bank.
The SOCO project is working to prevent conflict spillover from the Sahelian countries by improving the social and economic resilience of the targeted northern regions in the Gulf of Guinea countries: Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo.
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