The World Bank has lauded Ghana’s progress under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, highlighting the initiative’s success in surpassing its initial targets and achieving results that exceed expectations.
This endorsement came from Mr. Robin Mearns, the World Bank’s Global Director for Social Development, who led a high-level delegation to visit SOCO project sites. The delegation engaged with key stakeholders to review the project’s midterm progress, strengthen partnerships, and explore opportunities for further expansion.
“The SOCO Project is not just meeting but surpassing its targets. It is bringing significant economic growth to areas that have long lacked investment. The project’s scale and inclusiveness are truly impressive, and I strongly urge for further funding to extend its impact to more vulnerable districts,” Mr. Mearns commented.
During their visit, the delegation explored various community interventions along the Salaga corridor, including a CHPS compound and a guinea fowl rearing project.
Mr. Mearns shared the inspiring story of Fatima, a local farmer who saw her guinea fowl stock grow from 30 to over 100 birds thanks to SOCO’s support.
“Fatima’s story illustrates how SOCO is enhancing local livelihoods and strengthening resilience,” he said.
The delegation also interacted with other income-generating groups, including the Shishegu Soap Makers, and toured a newly constructed livestock market. These activities are part of SOCO’s Local Economic Development (LED) component, which focuses on sustainable community empowerment.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Ali Adolf John, praised the project for addressing infrastructure deficiencies and social vulnerability in the six Northern regions. He emphasised that SOCO’s integrated approach is fostering peaceful and thriving communities.
SOCO Project Coordinator, Ms. Elizabeth Ohenewah Agyei, shared that the first cycle of the project had delivered 530 community infrastructure subprojects, with 489 completed and handed over by February 2025. These include 33 roads and culverts, 59 educational facilities, 66 health centres, 210 water systems, and 73 rural markets. Additionally, more than 6,200 jobs, many for women, youth, and people with disabilities, have been created, and 744 livelihood groups with over 24,000 members have received support to enhance local productivity.
Ms. Agyei also noted that the second cycle is underway, aiming to deliver 680 more subprojects across 48 districts. “The SOCO Project is about more than just infrastructure,” she said. “It’s about fostering community ownership and participation. Our goal is to strengthen the social fabric through inclusive leadership and shared responsibility, which are fundamental to social cohesion.”
The delegation also attended the inauguration of the Tamale Metropolitan Youth Parliament, a civic engagement initiative under SOCO that promotes youth involvement in governance and peacebuilding.
Mr. Nicolas Perrin, World Bank’s Practice Manager for Social Sustainability and Inclusion in West Africa, described the Youth Parliament as a model for other regions to replicate.
“This Youth Parliament exemplifies civic inclusion and leadership development,” he said.
Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, the SOCO Project operates in 48 selected districts across Ghana’s six northern regions. It focuses on building inclusive, peaceful, and economically empowered communities in the northern border zones.
