He made the call in Tamale during an orientation workshop for MMDCEs, drawn from the Northern and Oti Regions on the implementation modules of the SOCO Project. 

The SOCO Project is a five-year initiative between the Government of Ghana and the World Bank aimed at strengthening the resilience of border communities by addressing the root causes of violence and instability.  

The SOCO Project focuses on inclusive development, capacity building, and targeted socio-economic interventions to improve livelihoods, infrastructure and service delivery in underserved communities. 

Mr. John noted that the Northern Region faced peculiar development challenges such as vast geographical areas with many deprived communities, overdependence on climate-vulnerable agriculture, and infrastructure gaps that restricted access to vital services.  

He stressed that the SOCO Project was a timely intervention to address these bottlenecks. 

He charged the MMDCEs to lead and coordinate all project activities within their jurisdictions, ensure the judicious use of resources, champion participatory planning and budgeting, and provide timely reports on the progress of implementation. 

The Minister emphasised that beyond implementation the project must be owned by beneficiary communities to ensure sustainability. 

"Let us see today’s orientation workshop as the beginning of a renewed era of local government-led development in the Northern Region,” Mr. John said. 

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in aligning with MMDAs activities by providing leadership, technical support and quality assurance for the project’s success. 

Madam Elizabeth Ohenewah Agyei, National Project Coordinator of the SOCO Project, said the orientation formed part of the implementation of the third phase of the project, tailored to equip MMDCEs with the requisite knowledge and practical tools to effectively implement the project at the district level.  

She explained that the project’s success depended largely on how well MMDCEs understood the modules and coordinated them with their district development plans. 

Madam Ohenewah added that the orientation would also provide clarity on reporting, monitoring and evaluation processes, to ensure that implementation remained consistent and aligned with both national and World Bank standards. 

Mr. Bright Atiase, the Chief Planning Analyst at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), underscored the importance of grassroots participation in planning.  

He urged the MMDCEs to prioritise community inclusion in their development frameworks, noting that inclusive planning was key to achieving equitable and sustainable national development. 

Mr. Atiase said: “Development is meaningful only when it reflects the voices of the people. Involving local communities in the design and implementation of projects like SOCO, strengthens ownership, enhances accountability and ensures that no one is left behind.” 

Mr. Sugri Muniru, Municipal Chief Executive for Yendi, lauded the initiative, adding that it will equip them with the information to help implement and sustain development in their communities.