The Canadian Government has given a firm commitment to assist in the development of strong and effective local government administration in Ghana and Africa. As part of its commitments made under the evolving New Patnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Canadian government, through its International Development Agency (CIDA) has committed Five Hundred Million Dollars over the next five years towards the development and sustainability of effective governance at the local levels in Africa.

As a sure sign of this commitment, delegates from four African countries, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique were invited to Canada by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to understudy Municipal administration in British Columbia over a one week-period.

A high-powered Ghanaian delegation led by Captain (rtd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, Deputy Minister for Local Government and rural Development and M.P for Berekum (Brong Ahafo) spent one week understudying municipal administration in Victoria, British Columbia. They then undertook a tour of Calgary, Alberta and spend the last week participating in the National Convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Other members of the Ghanaian Delegation were Maxwell Kofi Dwumah, the Chief Executive (Mayor) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kumasi, Mr. Akwasi Asare Ankomah, President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Koforidua, Mr. Kyeremeh, Secretary to the NALAG and Member of the Sunyani Metropolitan Assembly and Patricia Sampson, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Ministry of Local Government, Accra.

The delegation made a two-day stop-over in Montreal on Sunday June 1st on their way back to Ghana. Speaking at a welcome reception for the delegation organized by the Montreal Network for Patriotism and Progress (NPP, Montreal-Canada), Captain (rtd) Nkrabea Effah Dartey was full of praise for the commitment of the Canadian Government to effective local government in Ghana. He said his delegation learnt a lot during the various workshops and training sessions they attended.

PIC: From left: Mayor Maxwell Dwumah, Capt. Effah Dartey, Patricia Sampson & Ameyaw Kyeremeh