The Executive Secretary of the IMCC, Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia, paid a working visit to the European Union (EU) delegation in Accra on 13th May 2025, where he had bilateral discussions with Mr. Massimo Mina, Head of Cooperation, at the EU Delegation, on the EU’s vital role in Ghana’s decentralisation journey and to explore new frontiers of collaboration.
Dr. Hoedoafia expressed deep appreciation to the EU for its longstanding support to Ghana’s local governance reforms, particularly under the Ghana Decentralisation Support Programme (GDSP) Phases I and II. These programmes contributed significantly to legal and institutional reforms, including the establishment of the IMCC Secretariat—a key institutional anchor for intersectoral coordination of decentralisation in Ghana.
He emphasised that the visit marked an effort to reset and revitalise the IMCC–EU relationship, and to seek support for the implementation of decentralisation reforms to enhance service delivery and accountability at the local level.
Looking ahead, Dr. Hoedoafia underscored the need for institutional capacity strengthening and formally requested EU support for the implementation of a Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) to streamline personnel administration within the Local Government Service, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency in human resource operations across the decentralised sector.
In addition, recognising the EU’s current focus on urban development, which aligns with Local Economic Development (LED), a key thematic area of the national Decentralisation Policy —Dr. Hoedoafia further requested EU assistance in funding the valuation of properties within the MMDAs property valuation. He regarded this as a key lever for unlocking increased revenue generation at the local level.
In response, Mr. Mina welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the EU’s continued interest in supporting governance reforms in Ghana. He highlighted the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, which is designed to foster smart, clean, and secure investments in digitalisation, energy, transportation, health, education, and research systems worldwide. He acknowledged that Ghana’s decentralisation reforms are anchored in democratic governance and inclusive development, aligning firmly with these priorities.
Notably, Mr. Mina praised the IMCC’s renewed dynamism and commitment, remarking that “the IMCC sends strong, positive signals,” and assured the EU’s openness to exploring concrete areas for future collaboration.
