The Institute of Local Government Studies in collaboration with the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) organised a 4-day course on Integrated Urban Governance for Assembly Members at the Busua Beach Resort.

This prestigious residential programme was scheduled for 20^th to 23^rd February, 2024 at the Busua Beach Resort, Ahanta.

3. Learning Objectives and Outcomes

By the end of the training it was envisaged that Assembly members are able to:

Analyse existing challenges and opportunities at Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and propose cutting-edge strategies for the transformational agenda
Share insights into contemporary issues in decentralisation and metropolitan governance system
Appreciate the critical roles of the District Assemblies, the LG system and the functions of the Assembly members
Understand their executive, deliberative, legislative, representative and oversight functions.
Identify paths to rethinking Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan as resilient growth engine in Ghana
Use gender-sensitive urban governance methods and principles towards inclusive local governance in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis
Strengthen the working relationship between Assembly members and other stakeholders
Provide a platform for participants to build networks and share experience for personal and professional development

4. Training Content

The training was situated within the context of urbanization and the responsibilities of Metropolitan Assemblies to address the challenges and opportunity thereof. The training sessions articulated the ideas and skills needed for addressing urbanization challenges.

The modules covered include:

Module	Description	Learning Objectives	Sessions
Introduction to the training programme	This session introduces the training and learning objectives of the programme to the participants and further teases out participants expectations.	Appreciate the importance of urban areas to a country development Analyse the position of STMA to national development and the role that is expected of them as AM within the context of Ghana’s decentralisation	Urbanisation and governance Decentralisation and local governance Role & position of Assembly members in urban governance
Leadership in Action: Assembly Members Leadership Change Making Project	This session provides opportunity to AMs to identify local problems to which they seek to change. They will articulate how they want to make a change in their local areas.	Tease out the key metro governance issues in STMA Identify a clear intervention project to solve development problem in their area Work with stakeholders to create the best solutions for the situation	Identification of change projects Create groups to solve the identified challenges. Prepare a short presentation on the Change Making project that will be presented in the last day of the training
Decentralisation and Metropolitan Governance	This section introduces AMs to decentralization and local governance system and the position and functions of the AM. The challenges of urbanization and population growth and effects on planning will be examined together with coordinated public policies for new STMA	Enable AM appreciate the quality of leadership needed for Ghana’s LG system Comprehend organizational, functional and performance challenges facing metros as a result of globalization, urbanization, competitiveness, and democratization	Ghana’s Decentralisation and Local Governance System Metropolitan Governance: models, variables and Urbanisation challenges New Urban Agenda and Agenda 2030
Regulating the Urban Space: The Role of Assembly Members	This module covers the authority given to AMs to deliberate on development issues and make byelaws to govern the metro. It also presents areas that STMA are expected to make byelaws and the requirements and procedures involved effective urban governance. How do AMs make laws to accommodate everyone with the right to the city but also prevent chaos?	Develop byelaws that are consistent with the powers conferred on AM. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of existing byelaws (lack of byelaws), propose a review of development of new laws and draw implications Appreciate the process involved in the making of byelaws for urban governance	Basic Laws Analysing existing byelaws Process of enacting byelaws for urban governance The Rights for all (both poor and rich) to the City
Municipal Financing and Innovative Revenue Mobilisation	This session is about the revenue and expenditure decisions of local governments for efficient service delivery. Metros have the power to generate revenue for development. MA therefore need to adopt innovative means such as partnerships, crowdfunding, investment to mobilise funds for development. Examine the existing revenues as indicated in Act 936. How do AMs ensure effective revenue mobilization?	Understand the revenue challenges of STMA Identify new and innovative means of mobilizing revenue to execute plans	Intergovernmental Transfers and Principles of Municipal Finance Local Government Revenue Trends Existing Revenue sources Potential revenue generation mechanisms (borrowing, property rates, crowdfunding, PPP, etc) Digitization and Revenue Mobilisation
Conflict Resolution and Social Cohesion	Population growth and migration poses serious challenges in the urban space. There is usually a clash of especially economic interests and power within the urban space. The ability to negotiate solutions and mediate conflicts over land use and urban development is imperative for AMs.	Learn basic negotiation skills; Improve conflict analysis skills Develop skills to mediate and resolve conflict over economic space	Types of interpersonal Conflicts Conflict Resolutions and Social Cohesion Negotiation Skills for AM Gender & Human Rights
Strategic and Developmental Roles: The Executive Functions of STMA Assembly Members	This discusses the execution of the developmental functions of the DA and the roles that are expected of the AM. The focus is on administrative, planning, service delivery and economic development functions of the DAs. Emphasis of the module is placed on the sub-committee functions of the AM. This section is presented in two sessions	To understand the committee systems of the Assembly To develop planning, budgeting, resource mobilization, execution, evaluation, and learning skills To develop SMART project objectives	The Committee Systems of Assembly Project planning, Budgeting, resource mobilization, implementation and evaluation Developing SMART objectives
Inclusiveness in Urban Governance & Accountability	This session discusses the representative role of AMs in ensuring the involvement of people in local governance. How does AMs engage the different groups?	Apply the stakeholder engagement framework to urban decision-making process Understand various community engagement techniques	Cocreation for integrated urban governance Principles of Consultation process Community Engagement & Accountability

5.Training Methods

From the imperatives described above, it is important that the programme provides a good grounding in both theory and practice. Given that the intended target group is composed of adult-learners and practitioners, the programme was flexible and experiential. It adopted various learning methods to ensure participants were equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes including the use of power point presentation, practical case studies, interactive sessions, and team building exercises.

The training was organized in three days and was residential.

6.Training Evaluation

At the end of the programme, participants were expected to respond to specially designed questionnaires to evaluate the programme. This was supplemented with oral statements of their impressions of the programme. The purpose was to assess the feedback of participants and the learning achieved by them during the period. Impressions of various modules and any new knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired during the programme were solicited. This will form part of the training report to be prepared by the Institute.

7. Mentorship and Follow-up

After the training programme, participants will be given mentors who will support and guide them in the local governance journey. They will be attached to local governance experts who will respond to their questions and challenges being encountered by Assembly members in the engagements with community members, traditional authorities and District Administrators and other stakeholders.

4-DAY COURSE ON INTEGRATED URBAN GOVERNANCE FOR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS