Regional Technical Cooperation Division

GHANA:
TAMALE CITY PROFILE

1
 Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2009
All rights reserved

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UN-HABITAT Regional and Information Offices or directly from:
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Fax: + (254 20) 762 4266/7
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This Tamale report and project was prepared and managed by Victoria Abankwa in Ghana
and Alain Grimard, Kerstin Sommer and Florence Kuria in Nairobi.

HS Number: HS/1215/09E

ISBN Number: (Volume) 978-92-1-132182-1

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The designation employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do
not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the
United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of
its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries, or regarding its
economic system or degree of development. The analysis, conclusions and recommendations
of the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-HABITAT), the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT or its Member
States.

Excerpts from this publication may be reproduced without authorisation, on condition that
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Photo credits: © UN-HABITAT

Acknowledgements
Design and Layout: Florence Kuria

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 Ghana:
TAMALE CITY PROFILE

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA AND THE ARAB STATES

Table of contents

FOREWORD 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6

BACKGROUND 8

GOVERNANCE 11

SLUM AND SHELTER 14

GENDER AND HIV/AIDS 15

ENVIRONMENT 17

PROJECT PROPOSALS

GOVERNANCE 19

SLUMS AND SHELTER 23

GENDER AND HIV/AIDS 26

ENVIRONMENT 29

3
 Foreword

The annual urban other departments within the agency – the Urban
growth rate in Sub- Development Branch with the Urban Environment
Saharan Africa is almost Section, the Global Urban Observatory, the Shelter
5 percent, twice as high Branch, the Urban Governance Unit, the Gender Policy
as in Latin America Unit, the Environment Unit and the Training and
and Asia. It also has the Capacity Building Branch. This new corporate approach
world’s largest proportion is part of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme.
of urban residents living The implementation of the urban profiling was launched
in slums, which today thanks to contributions from the Governments of Italy,
are home to 72 percent Belgium and the Netherlands. Today, it is part of the
of urban Africa’s citizens Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme financed by
representing a total of the European Commission.
some 187 million people.
As more and more people The idea behind the urban profiling is to help
seek a better life in towns formulate urban poverty reduction policies at the local,
and cities, the urban slum population in Africa is national and regional levels through a rapid, participatory,
projected to double every 15 years in a process known cross cutting, holistic and action-orientated assessment
as the urbanization of poverty. African cities are thus of needs. It is also aimed at enhancing dialogue,
confronted in the new Millennium with the problem of awareness of opportunities and challenges aiming at
accommodating the rapidly growing urban populations identifying response mechanisms as a contribution to
in inclusive cities, providing them with adequate shelter the implementation of the MDGs.
and basic urban services, while ensuring environmental
sustainability, as well as enhancing economic growth The urban profiling addresses four main themes:
and development. governance, slums, gender and HIV/AIDS and
environment. It seeks to build a national profile, and
UN-HABITAT is the lead agency for implementation three settlements representing the capital or a large city,
of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, Target a medium-sized city, and a small town. The profiles offer
10 (reducing by half the number of people without an overview of the urban situation in each participating
sustainable access to safe drinking water), and Target city through a series of interviews with key urban actors.
11 (achieving significant improvement in the lives of at This is followed by a city consultation where priorities are
least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020). agreed. City-level findings provide input for the national
profiling that is combined with a national assessment of
As part of our drive to address this crisis, UN- institutional, legislative, financial and overall enabling
HABITAT is working with the European Commission frameworks and response mechanisms. The profiles at
to support sustainable urban development in African, all levels result in supporting the formation of city and
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Given the urgent national strategies and policy development. Additionally,
and diverse needs, the agency found it necessary to the profiling facilitates sub-regional analyses, strategies
develop a tool for rapid assessment to guide immediate, and common policies through identification of
mid and long-term interventions. In 2002, based on common needs and priorities at the sub-regional level.
the European Commission’s Consultative Guidelines This provides guidance to international external support
for Sustainable Urban Development Cooperation, UN- agencies in the development of their responses in the
HABITAT successfully implemented an Urban Sector form of capacity building tools.
Profile Study in Somalia for the first time. The Study
resulted in the identification and implementation of In Ghana, the profiling was undertaken under the
three major programmes with funding from a variety leadership of national and local authorities. This initiative
foreword -executive director

of donors. has been carried out locally in Accra, Tamale, Ho as

well as nationally. The Profile focuses on the findings
In 2004, UN-HABITAT’s Regional Office for of a desk-study, interviews with key actors and a town
Africa and the Arab States took the initiative to consultation with key urban actors and institutions.
develop the approach further for application in over Consultation participants agreed to address the salient
20 countries. This was achieved in collaboration with urban issues including poverty, insecurity, corruption,

4 4
pollution and crime all problems that negatively affect
investments and economic development. A consensus
was reached on priority interventions in the form of
programme and project proposals to be implemented.
I wish to acknowledge the contributions of Mr.
Mohamed El Sioufi, who developed the urban profiling
concept, the programme manager Alain Grimard and
Kerstin Sommer who is coordinating its activities. I
also wish to cite those members of staff for their role
in helping produce this report. They include Alioune
Badiane, Adolphine Asimah, Ben Doe Doris Tetteh,
and Sylvester Gabianu.
I would like to thank the Government of Ghana
through the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Ministry
of Information Service, Ministry of Local Government
and Rural Development, Ministry of Women and
Children Affairs, city mayors, local government officials,
authorities, and all those who have participated in and
supported this initiative and wish every success in its
implementation. I also look forward to supporting
further their efforts in the development of Tamale.

Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations,
and Executive Director,
UN-HABITAT

foreword -executive director

5 5
 Executive summary

Overview Introduction
Tamale is the capital town of the Northern Region, The Urban Profiling is an accelerated and action-
one of ten in the country. It is located within the Guinea oriented urban assessment of needs and capacity-
Savannah belt. It is the fourth largest city in Ghana with building gaps at local and national levels. It is currently
a population of 293,881 comprising 146,979 males and being implemented in over 20 countries in Africa and
146,902 females and with a growth rate of 3.5%. The Arab States. The urban profiling uses a structured
size of Tamale is approximately 922km sq. The city approach where priority interventions are agreed
experiences severe hamattan winds in the dry season upon through consultative processes. It consists of
from November to January. The Metropolis is poorly three phases: (1) a rapid participatory urban profiling,
endowed with water bodies. The only water systems are at national and local levels, focusing on Governance,
a few seasonal streams, which dry up during the dry Slums, Gender, HIV/AIDS, and Environment, and
season. The other water bodies include dugouts and proposed interventions; (2) detailed priority proposals;
dams. The city attracts population from all over the and (3) project implementation. Urban Profiling in
northern region. Economic activities revolve around Ghana encompasses a national profile, as well as profiles
farming and trading. According to the GLSS4, the for Accra, Tamale, and Ho, each published as a separate
northern region is one of the three poorest regions in report. This is the Tamale report and it constitutes a
the country. Many International Non Governmental general background, a synthesis of the four themes –
Organizations operate in the northern region but few Governance, Slums, Gender and HIV/AIDS, and
of them work in Tamale. Environment –, and priority project proposals.

MAP 1: TAMALE CITY

executive summary

6 6
 Under the decentralization programme of the Environment
country, the Governance system comprises of elected
members and government appointed members who As one of the fastest growing cities in the country,
form the Metropolitan Assembly, which is the highest Tamale is faced with daunting challenges in the
governing body of the city. The Metropolitan Chief management of both solid and liquid waste, water
Executive is the head of administration of the city. The shortages and congestion in the markets. Unauthorized
mechanism for engaging the public and stakeholders in development also contributes to environmental
decision-making for the Assembly is not very clear. degradation in Tamale. The city requires assistance in
procurement of sanitation facilities/equipment and
Slums enforcement of planning and building regulations.

Several communities have slum characteristics. They ADMINISTRATION

do not have sufficient water supply; they lack good
roads; domestic toilet provision is low and residents The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA)
either use the limited public toilets or defecate in the was established by Legislative Instrument 1453, and
bush and open spaces. governed under the Local Government Law, Act 462. The
National Building Regulation, Legislative Instrument
The Assembly has undertaken slum upgrading in 1630, Town and Country Planning Ordinance CAP
several communities through the various development 84, the National Development Planning Systems Law,
agencies like the Department of Urban Roads, and Urban Act 480 are also applied for development planning
Environmental Sanitation Project. Funding sources for and control. The Tamale Assembly lacks the requisite
slum upgrading usually come from central government manpower at both senior management level and at the
and donor agencies. Under Urban Environmental junior staff level for effective management of the city. It
Sanitation Project II, upgrading packages are being has a total staff population of 319 employees. Resource
prepared for slum areas in Tamale. allocation for 2003 is as follows: personal emoluments
65.3%, travel and transport 14%, repairs and renewal
Gender and HIV/AIDS 2.6%, general expenditure 8.7% and miscellaneous
8.2%.
Women form a high proportion of the population
in Tamale and are employed in trading and other FINANCIAL SITUATION
economic activities. However poverty levels are high
among women because of a number of factors. These Sources of revenue for the city are twofold;
include the discriminatory nature of land and property internally generated funds such as rates, land, fees and
holding, inheritance, extensive subsistence farming, fines, licenses, rent and investment; central government
large domestic responsibility and high birth rates, low funds such as District Assemblies Common Fund,
capital levels and illiteracy. HIV/AIDS cases are higher central government project interventions like Urban
executive summary

in women than in men. The Assembly has established Environmental Sanitation Project, European Union,
a gender desk to take care of women issues particularly VIP etc.
education and action on HIV/AIDS. Under the poverty
reduction alleviation programmes, the Assembly
provides credit facilities to communities as counterpart
fund for the development of donor funded programmes
in deprived areas. More assistance should be given to
formation of micro-credit groups for women. Efforts
should be directed at girl child education.

77
 Background

INTRODUCTION This report presents the outcomes of Phase One at the

local level in Tamale.
Urban Profiling
The Tamale Urban Profiling consists of an accelerated,
action-oriented assessment of urban conditions, Urban Profiling in tamale
focusing on priority needs, capacity gaps, and existing The urban profiling in Tamale is one of three similar
institutional responses at local and national levels. The exercises conducted in Ghana; the other profiled centres
purpose of the study is to develop urban poverty reduction are Accra and Ho.
policies at local, national, and regional levels, through
an assessment of needs and response mechanisms, and The national and city consultation was conceived
as a contribution to the wider-ranging implementation as a partnership platform, co-developed with the
of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Department of Community Development, Department
study is based on analysis of existing data and a series of Cooperative, Social Welfare, Department of Rural
of interviews with all relevant urban stakeholders, Housing, Tamale Members Assembly, Metropolitan
including local communities and institutions, civil Planning Coordinating Unit, Works Department,
society, the private sector, development partners, Budget and Rating Department, Police Commander
academics, and others. The consultation typically and the Ghana Civil Aviation. The aim is to promote
results in a collective agreement on priorities and their inter-agency collaboration that integrates a wide range
development into proposed capacity-building and other of urban actors in response mechanisms.
projects that are all aimed at urban poverty reduction.
The urban profiling is being implemented in over 20
African and Arab countries, offering an opportunity Report Structure
for comparative regional analysis. Once completed, this
series of studies will provide a framework for central This report consists of:
and local authorities and urban actors, as well as donors
and external support agencies. 1. a general background of the urban sector in Tamale,
based on the findings of a desk study, interviews,
and a national and city consultation (see back cover
Methodology for a list of participants in the city consultation and
a bibliography). The background includes data on
The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme administration, urban planning, Metropolis finance,
consists of three phases: urban services, public transport, health, education,
the economic situation, water and sanitation, and
Phase one consists of the rapid profiling of urban waste management;
conditions at national and local levels. The capital city,
a medium-sized city, and a small town are selected 2. a synthesis of the four main theme areas – governance,
and studied to provide a representative sample in each slums, gender and HIV/AIDS, and environment
country. The analysis focuses on four themes: governance, – in terms of the institutional set-up, regulatory
slums, gender and HIV/AIDS, and the environment. framework, resource mobilisation, and performance
Information is collected through standard interviews (this second section also highlights agreed priorities
and discussions with institutions and key informants, in and includes a list of identified projects); and
order to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats (SWOT) of the national and local urban set- 3. a SWOT analysis and an outline of priority project
ups. The findings are presented and refined during city proposals for each theme. The proposals include
and national consultation workshops and consensus is beneficiaries, partners, estimated costs, objectives,
TAMALE profile - background

reached regarding priority interventions. National and activities, and outputs.

city reports synthesise the information collected and
outline ways forward to reduce urban poverty through
holistic approaches.
Phase two builds on the priorities identified through
pre-feasibility studies and develops detailed capacity-
building and capital investment projects.
Phase three implements the projects developed
during the two earlier phases, with an emphasis on
skills development, institutional strengthening, and
replication.

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URBAN SERVICES
The urban poor suffer form the lack of urban BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY: SMALL TOWN
services particularly those in the deprived areas. They WATER SYSTEM FOR TAMALE
do not have adequate water supply, roads, drains and The Tamale Central Small Towns Water System consists
sanitation services.
of rehabilitation of water points such as wells and bore
holes executed by New Energy – a Non Governmental
Organization. Estimated duration of the project was
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
three months. The original shallow hand dug wells
Public transport popularly called ‘trotros’ and taxis were built in 1940 and drawn using rope and bucket.
are the main mode of transport for the city. A large After several years of operation and maintenance, the
number of people use bicycles and motorbikes in the well eventually caved in and became disused. The
city. major components of the project are as follows;

1. Evacuating debris from the well.

STREET LIGHTING
2. Reinforcing the sides of the well with con-
Street lighting has been provided in the major roads crete and inserting a filtration system.
in Tamale.
3. Installation of an overhead tank.

SOURCES OF ENERGY 4. Installation of five stand pipes.

59 percent of households in the Metropolis use 5. Installation of pumping system and meter.
electricity as their main source of lighting whereas 40
percent rely on kerosene lamp for lighting. The majority 6. Fencing the area around the well and the stand pipes.
of people use charcoal and firewood for cooking.
An 8-member user management group has been
formed to manage and monitor the operations of
Education the well for one-year. The well now has capacity to
service over 3000 persons. The project was funded by
Tamale has the following education institutions:
Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) 68; Senior Secondary Water Aid and West African Water Initiative and also
Schools (SSS) 11; Technical/Vocational 2; Polytechnic supported by the Local Non Governmental Organiza-
1. Illiteracy is very high in the city. The city has a high tion, New Energy. The community provided Labour,
drop out rate particularly at the Junior Secondary the Assembly provided the local funding and the New
School level. This has created a big concern for the city Energy did mobilisation. The rehabilitation, which
administration. was undertaken in 2002, took 3 months to complete
and cost approximately Ghana cedis 120,000,000.
During the trial period the well has been able to serve
Access to education the community without getting dry at any time.
It has 3 tertiary, 6-second cycle, 68 primary level 1. Some money has been generated during the
institutions and 10 nursery schools. The total enrolment first three months of operation of the well
for primary level institutions in school is 12,529 people
and this will be used to buy two other pipes,
TAMALE profile - background

out of the primary school going cohort (6-15 age

cohort) 14,786. This makes it a school participatory one as a stand by and the other to be used
rate of 84.7%. for rehabilitating another identified well.

2. A local mechanic has been identi-

fied and trained to service the pump.

3. An accounting system has been estab-

lished for the revenue collection.

9 9
 Development partners Private Sector: There are a lot of informal sector
operators in the city, however the formal private sector
Community Based Organizations (CBOs): There is not very much operational in the city. Consequently
are a number of voluntary organizations from the industrial activities are minimal in the city. The city
community, youth groups, schools and mosques. They administration is therefore very keen on attracting
are formed to respond to issues of sanitation, their own investment into the city.
welfare and mobilisation for community work.
Donors: Being one of the three poorest regions of
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): There the country a lot of donors have been trying to push
is a proliferation of NGOs operating in the Tamale developments into Tamale and the region. These are
Metropolis. At the last inventory in early 2004 as many in the fields of sanitation, infrastructure and social
as sixty (60) were recorded. Unfortunately most of services.
them have their headquarters in Tamale but operate
outside the Metropolis. The few that operate within
the Metropolis do so in an uncoordinated manner.
This usually results in duplication of effort and spillage
of resources. In order to harmonize their efforts for
effective development the NGOs have now constituted
a quarterly review meeting (Consortium of NGOs) and
this is helping to facilitate discussions and consultation
within the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly.
TAMALE profile - background

1010
GOVERNANCE and therefore a new assembly was not constituted. As a
result a 12 member Interim Management Committee
The mission statement of the Tamale Metropolitan (IMC) nominated by government has been put in place
Assembly states, “The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly until elections are held. The committee has 4 women
exists to enhance the quality of life of the people of members. The Chief Executive is the chairman. The
the Metropolis by facilitating the maintenance of law Interim Management Committee functions along
and order and mobilizing the physical and financial the same lines as the District Authority. The Interim
resources to provide quality socio-economic services Management Committee meets quarterly but can be
especially in education and health in collaboration convened for any emergency meeting. It was observed
with other development agencies and in conformity to that due to the scope of activity required of the Interim
broad national policies,” (Medium Term Development Management Committee emergency meetings have
Plan, TAMA 2003). This is a clear manifestation of become very frequent.
the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly acknowledgement
of its role in provision and the citizens right for access The Interim Management Committee is supported
to basic services. Consequently the provision of these by technical departments and administrative structures.
basic services has constituted a major component of the The categories are:
Tamale Metropolitan Assembly budget and programme
of action as contained in the various district budget and • Core department such as Central Administration,
action plans. Metropolitan Planning & Coordinating Unit,
Budget & Finance.
TAMALE profile - governance

• 13 decentralized departments.
THE INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
• Central government departments and Agencies
The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly was established such as Department of Urban Roads, Ghana
by Legislative Instrument 1453. Membership of the Water Company Limited, Community Water and
Assembly comprises 52 elected and 30 appointed Sanitation Agency, and Environmental Protection
members including the Metropolitan Chief Executive Agency.
and two members of Parliament who have no voting
rights. It is the highest political and administrative • The 8 sub-committees of the Assembly.
authority in the Metropolis. At the sub metropolis level
Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has 11 Zonal Councils
and 91 Unit Committees. This was the structure of the
Tamale Metropolitan Assembly during the last District
Assembly session which ended in 2002, however due
to the state of emergency imposed on the Dagbon area
including the Metropolis, voting could not be conducted

1111
 TABLE 1
DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS
1. Tamale Metropolitan Assembly Legislation, policy, budgeting, implementation coordination and supervision.
2. Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) Over development of Metropolis.
3. Central Administration Coordinate the activities of the departments administrative services to Metro-
politan Chief Executive.
3. Town & Country Planning Coordination uses and developments. Preparation of detailed planning
schemes, structure plan, detailed design of suburban centres. Secretariat of the
Accra Metropolitan Planning Committee.
4. Works Development and maintenance of public land properties, design and mainte-
nance of building projects premises/ house numbering, development of street
furniture and Terminals. Issuance of building permit, demolishes unauthorized
developments.

5. Environmental Management Food Hygiene and market sanitation. Disease, Vector and Pest Control. Envi-
ronmental Health Education. Premises Inspection for control of environmental
health hazards. Control of cemeteries. Health safety of keeping of animals.
Building Sanitation.

6. Education office Teaching and learning in schools; regulations and educational policies; infra-
structure and necessary logistics; sport development in schools.

7. Disaster Prevention and Management Preparation of disaster management plan. Provision of relief, rehabilitation and
reconstruction after disaster.

8. Food and Agriculture Technical services, development of Agriculture. In flow and outflow of agricul-
tural produce.

9. Finance Collection and custody of revenue; processes and pays expenses incurred; com-
pel financial records; processes payroll; Advises on financial matters; researches
into changing trends of the market.

10. Trade and Industry Local economic development.

TAMALE profile - governance

12
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Resource mobilization Capacity building and training
District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) finances • Re-organise the institutional structure and
about 45.5% of development projects and programmes, departments to respond to the problems of the
2.71% from non-governmental organizations; 51.79% Metropolises.
from other central government projects interventions
e.g. Urban Environmental Sanitation Project, European • Development and installation of a comprehensive
Union and Village Infrastructure Project. In 2003 database on all rateable, persons and properties:
Common Fund released to the Assembly was USD
256,061.36. Disbursement of District Assemblies - Establishment of an effective supervisory and
Common Fund focuses on education, health, water monitoring system.
and sanitation and micro enterprise support for poverty - Undertake training of revenue collectors.
alleviation programme.
- Organize public campaigns to adequately sensitize
Tamale Metropolitan Assembly’s locally generated communities of all the benefits of paying taxes.
revenue has improved over the past three years due to
high growth and 91.17% achievement of the yearly - Develop a contractual agreement (Memorandum
budget. The actual performance over the period has of Understanding) to be signed by all parties
increased from 36% to 350%. involved in any revenue collection contracted with
the Assembly.

Performance and accountability - Provide technical support to all Assembly revenue

collectors.
The Audit Service epartment regularly audits all
Ghana government service including the Tamale • Recruitment and training of staff.
Metropolitan Assembly internal audit department for
day-to-day auditing. The audit reports of all agencies
of the Assembly are presented in a composite report Project proposal Page 20
and submitted to the Parliament of Ghana. Copies are GOVERNANCE Manpower and capacity building for
made available to the Assembly. District Tender Boards N°1 core staff of Tamale Metropolitan
formed for procurement; follows national procurement Assembly .
processes. Large budget procurement receives no
objection and confirmation from either the regional
administration or the Ministry of Local Government
and Rural Development. Project proposal Page 20
There are mechanisms in the Assembly to address GOVERNANCE Developing Strategies and Structures
complaints and institute redress measures at various N°2 for Revenue Mobilization.
levels. Departments are mandated to have a client’s
service desk. The Chief Executive also has a front line
client’s service. Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has
constant interaction with the public through a weekly
radio talk show program with the four FM radio Project proposal Page 21
stations in the city. All departments and agencies in GOVERNANCE Improve Metropolis and Urban
the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly take turns on these N°3 Council facilities.
programmes during which explanations, clarifications
TAMALE profile - governance

and answers are provided to questions and allegations

from the public.

Project proposal Page 22

Social empowerment Establish a citizen participation
Civil society and the public are informed about GOVERNANCE system for effective community
medium term programmes as designed to solve N°4 participation in decision making and
community identified problems. planning processes.

1313
 SLUMS and shelter Capacity building and training
Majority of housing inTamale composes of compound • Training of Environmental Health Officers on health
houses constructed from mud and thatch. Central promotion strategies, prosecution and enforcement
Government and international bodies are normally of byelaws.
responsible for the preparation and implementation of
slum upgrading projects in the country. Consequently • Training of Water Management Committees.
the cities do not have strategies aimed at slum upgrading. Training in the appreciation of environmental
Cities should make a conscious effort to establish these problems and strategies to deal with them.
guidelines and strategies.

Regulatory framework
Tamale has a Master Plan since 1992. A number Best practice
of regulations exist for land use planning in the city. Small town water system for Tamale. Rehabilita-
These are the National Building Regulation (Legislative tion of an old well in the centre of Tamale by a Non
Instrument 1630), Town and Country Planning
Governmental Organization and the Assembly. The
Ordinance (CAP 84), the National Development
Planning Systems Law (Act 480), and the Local well is fitted with an electric pump and an over-
Government Law (Act 462), which are used in guiding head tank. It provides water throughout the year for
development planning and control. residents in central Tamale. Plans are far advanced
to replicate the project in other parts of Tamale.

THE INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP

• Hitherto the Assembly does not have much role to
play in the planning and implementation of slum
upgrading projects. The Assembly is getting more
involved in the process.
• There is poor information gathering on slums and
no special consideration for slums in the provision Project proposal Page 23
of services. SLUMS AND
SHELTER Programme to improve capacity for
• There is limited involvement of Community Based N°1 urban housing upgrading.
Organizations and Non Governmental Organizations
in slum upgrading work.
Project proposal Page 23
SLUMS AND
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
SHELTER Community upgrading of Ward K, I and
TAMALE profile - slums AND SHELTER

• Public Institutions do not provide funds for slum N°2 I Extension.

development; upgrading projects are financed
by central government, World Bank and other
multilateral agencies.
• No special credit for slum dwellers.

Tenure systems
• Slum dwellers in Tamale have secure tenure but do
not have good infrastructure and services.
• Deprived areas are located on good lands.
• Nobody is evicted from slum areas.
• Poor people are priced out of the land market due to
high land cost.

14
14
GENDER AND HIV/AIDS POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Affirmative action for women has been high on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs formulate
development agenda. The affirmative policy position policies on women; Women and Juvenile Unit for arrest
for women is upon the background that being a and prosecution of offences against women; Women
largely Moslem and traditional community women’s desk set up in all Assemblies; Ghana AIDS Commission
participation had been limited to domestic issues. for policy on HIV/AIDS; Law against Female Genital
Post-colonial times thus saw lower indices on women Mutilation.
education, participation in economic and political factors
lower than in the other southern regions of the country.
It is in this light that a number of gender sensitive RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
Non Governmental Organizations are operating in the
region. • Micro credit facilities for women groups; women
groups sponsored on forums to discuss HIV/AIDS.

TAMALE profile - gender and hiv/aids

With the creation of the Ministry of Women and
Children Affairs in 2001, many of the Assemblies have • Special programmes for women and vulnerable
started establishing Gender desks within the Assemblies. groups.
The objective is to collect information on issues
affecting women and children and use the information
to formulate and implement programmes that would Accountability
empower women and provide support and assistance to • Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) arrests and
children. prosecutes offences against women and children.
A number of issues relating to women and children • Women are the target groups for HIV/AIDS
in Tamale include traditional and customary practices education and awareness creation.
against women, violence against women, early and
forced marriages, high school drop rate for the girl child
as against the boy child and teenage pregnancy. Many
of the girl child dropouts migrate to the south to look
for jobs.

1515
 Empowerment
• Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for policy
on women.
• Affirmative action for women.
• Women representation in decision-making

Capacity building and training

• Disaggregated Information on HIV/AIDS is not
available in Tamale.
• Violence against women.
• Girl child education.

Project proposal Page 26

GENDER AND
HIV/AIDS Redevelopment of Tamale
N°1 Central Market.

Project proposal Page 26

GENDER AND
HIV/AIDS
Support for Girl Child Education.
N°2

Project proposal Page 27

GENDER AND
HIV/AIDS Programme to Prevent
N°3 Violence against Women.
TAMALE profile - gender and hiv/aids

1616
ENVIRONMENT THE INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, The Assembly has the responsibility for waste
Tamale is faced with daunting challenges in the management. This is done through the Environmental
management of both solid and liquid waste. The Health Department. The Town and Country Planning
management of solid and liquid waste is the single Department has responsibility for planning and
greatest environmental problem facing the Metropolis. development control. Unfortunately these Departments
150 tonnes of solid are generated daily but the are not well resourced.
Assembly is only able to clear 7.5 tonnes a day. 80% of
the population depend on public toilets or other illegal
modes of toilets. RESOURCE MOBILISATION
Proliferation of commercial and light industrial • Tamale Metropolitan Assembly budget for
activities within the residential areas is another environmental activity is too small.
environmental problem facing the township.
• Funding for sanitation comes only from central
Development control enforcement in the township government.
has been very weak and as a result small-scale commercial
activities find it relatively easy to locate on any available • No user charges for use of sanitation facilities.
space (road sides and reservation, open spaces and
TAMALE profile - environment

undeveloped plots). The city has an engineered landfill

site and liquid waste treatment plant but there are no PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
vehicles to transport the waste to the disposal points. • Information dissemination on environmental
management is weak.
Policy and regulatory framework • Environmental Protection Agency is not very much
involved in environmental management in Tamale
Sanitation bye-laws of the Assembly are not Metropolitan Assembly .
implemented, similarly development control laws are
not fully implemented due to lack of staff. • Some Community Based Organizations undertake
occasional clean up in the communities.

1717
 CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING

• Training of Environmental Health Officers on

health promotion strategies, prosecution and
enforcement of byelaws.

• Training of Water Management Committees.

• Training in the appreciation of environmental

problems and strategies to deal with them.

Project proposal Page 29

environment
N°2 Redevelopment of Aboabo Market.

Project proposal Page 29

environment
N°1 Supply of sanitation equipment.
TAMALE profile - environment

1818
GOVERNANCE

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats PRIORITY OBJECTIVE

ISSUES
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

New properties in Low income levels. Projects (Danish Harsh national Effective Increasing
the Metropolis. Support for District Economic revenue the internally
Inadequate Assemblies Urban Conditions. collection generated
Existence of database. V, HIPC Fund, Social system. revenue by 70%.
viable markets. Investment Fund). Irregular release
Lack of motivation of District Tax education Establishing a
Private sector for revenue staff. Unexplored revenue Assembly awareness. comprehensive
participation sources. Common Fund. property register
in revenue Unwillingness to
and other tax
collection. pay tax.
rated entities.
Corruption of
revenue collectors.

Low tax coverage.

INSTITUTIONAL SET FOR EFFECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING

Adequate Weak Decentralization Slow Effective To improve

Human resources Dissemination of Policy. implementation institutional the forward
available. Information & of the arrangement. and backward
Education on Local Danish support to decentralization linkages
Sub-District Governance. District Assemblies policy. Human between
Structure Phase II (DSDA II) resource the Central
available. Weak financial Training for District Irregular release development. Administration
base of the Assembly /Sub of District and the
Availability of Metropolis. structures. Assemblies Decentralized
NGOs and CBOs. Common Fund. Departments.
Delay in payment European Union
Responsible of salaries. Human Resource Political To support
Traditional Rulers. Development interference in the adequate
Inadequate office programme for the affairs of the staffing and
space for the District Assembly Metropolitan equipping of the
Metropolis. available. Assembly. Assembly.
Inadequate highly Availability of
skilled personnel. press to monitor
and disseminate
Lack of
information.
coordination
between Local
project proposals - governance
and national
Programme of
activities.

PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Presence of Weak link Vibrant private and Incomplete local Community To improve
community between independent private government participation. communication
organizations Metropolitan press. system. between the As-
and traditional Assembly Community sembly and the
authorities. structures and mobilisation. public.
communities
Availability of and community To adequately
internal and organizations. coordinate NGO
external audit activities in the
system. Over reliance district.
on central
government for
resources and
manpower.
1919
 Project proposal Project proposal
Manpower and capacity governance
governance Develop Mechanisms for
N°1 building for core staff of Tamale N°2 Private Participation in Revenue
Metropolitan Assembly
Mobilisation

LOCATION: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly Offices. LOCATION: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and
Institute for Local Government Studies.
DURATION: 18 months.
DURATION: 12 months.
BENEFICIARIES: Senior Management Staff,
Technical Staff and Supporting Staff of: Central BENEFICIARIES: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly ,
Administration - Office of the Metro Coordinating Private Enterprise, Non Governmental Organizations.
Director, Metro Planning and Coordinating
Unit, Metropolitan Works Department and IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Tamale
Waste Management Department, and Finance Metropolitan Assembly and private enterprise,
and Budget Division Accountants. Non Governmental Organizations and
Community Based Organizations.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Local and
National Training Institutions, International Training ESTIMATED COST: USD 20,000
Institutions, Attachment with other cites with
proven administrative experience, Local Government BACKGROUND: With the decentralisation process,
Training School, and specialised Trainers (Subject the importance of locally generated revenue has
Matter Specialist to provide in-house training). become very crucial in funding projects. Ability of
Assemblies to generate revenue locally forms the
ESTIMATED COST: USD 100,000 basis for calculating their share of the Assemblies
Common Fund. At the same time there are several
BACKGROUND: Local Government system sources from which the Assembly can generate
is fairly new and staff is not well equipped to revenue. The Assembly relies on its revenue collection
handle the challenges of good governance. Local staff to undertake this task. Unfortunately Tamale
Governments make little provision for staff training Metropolitan Assembly has discovered that the officers
and improvement. In addition the other structures are incapable of collecting the revenue efficiently.
of the Assembly - the Assembly men and the Chief This is partly due to their educational background
Executive have very little training and experience and inability to be creative. The Assembly in recent
in governance and Metropolis management. times has recruited the services of private revenue
collectors. This has shown some improvement in
OBJECTIVES: To enhance efficiency revenue mobilisation. However the privatisation needs
of local governance structure in to be better organised and managed professionally
Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. in order to ensure proper contract procedures,
ACTIVITIES: (1) Local and international training accounting, supervision and monitoring.
for staff in areas of Development Planning, OBJECTIVES: To develop transparent structures
Budgeting and Accounting, Procurement, Project and mechanisms for public-private partnership that
project proposals - governance

Planning, Metropolis Engineering, Secretarial, Office would enhance metropolis revenue mobilisation.
Management, etc. (2) Study tours and workshop
for management Level Staff for sensitization. ACTIVITIES: (1) Identify staff for the training.
(3) Conducting sensitization workshop for (2) Identify training Institute. (3) Provide
Assembly men and key community persons. (4) training in P3. (4) Workshop to sensitise private
Attachment programmes for Technical Heads. sector and interest them in P3. (5) Identify non-
traditional revenue sources of the Assembly
OUTPUTS: (1) Improved skills of Tamale
Metropolitan Assembly staff. (2) Simple operational OUTPUTS: (1) An effective mechanized system for
manuals. (3) Provision of basic office equipment. revenue collection and a transparent system for private
participation in revenue mobilization established.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1)Selection
of staff for training. (2) Selection of training PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1) Use
Institute. (3) Arrange for training. (4) Training. technical expertise to provide training using theory
(5) Workshops. (6) Design and procurement of and practical experience in P3. (2) Short project
Office operation manuals and equipment. work on P3. (3) Study tours. (4) Workshops.
EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED: (1) Computers. EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED: (1)
and accessories. (2) Office equipment. (3) Vehicles. Computers. (2) Communication equipment.
2020
 Project proposal PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1) Prepare
governance Terms of Reference and select Consultants for the
N°3 Develop data base for landed project. (2) Purchase digital maps. (3)Purchase
property and business other hardware and software. (4)Undertake the
studies and prepare reports. (5) Train staff on the
utilisation of the results of the study. (6) Create
public awareness and education on the assignment.
LOCATION: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly.

DURATION: 24 months. EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED: (1) Digital

base map of Tamale. (2) Computers and Global
BENEFICIARIES: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. Positioning Software. (3) Geographic Information
Systems software. (4) Accounting Software. (5)
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Private Vehicles. (6) Public address system/van.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) company,
Land Valuation Board, Legal Officer.
ESTIMATED COST: USD 250,000
BACKGROUND: The revenue base of the Metropolis
is currently very small. There is no adequate
information on the number of houses and other
landed property in the city. It is therefore difficult to
make projections for revenue that are realistic and also
monitor the payment and collection of property rate.
There are also a number of institutions and businesses,
both public and private, which are operating in the
city without paying fees to the Assembly. Under the
Urban Environmental Sanitation Project, a Structure
Plan was prepared for Tamale and this can form a
good base map for the development of a Geographic
Information Systems based property identification and
billing system. When completed such database would
also provide a good socio-economic data on the city.
OBJECTIVES: (1) Increase the coverage of
taxable property and businesses in Tamale.
(2) Increase reliability in revenue collection. (3)
Ensure adequate accounting procedures.
ACTIVITIES: (1) Update of digital and manual
data base through field work. (2) Compilation of
socio-economic data profile of identified units.
(3) Revaluation of properties.(4) Public education
project proposals - governance

of the processes. (5) Review of necessary byelaws

on revenue mobilisation.(6) Mechanism for
compiling and dispatch of bills. (7) Orientation
of collection staff. (8) Modalities for collection of
bills and establishment of accounting procedures.
OUTPUTS: (1) A Geographic Information
Systems based property billing system. (2) An
updated record of taxable property and business
in the appropriate software. (3) A well referenced
house and property numbering system.

2121
 Project proposal OUTPUT: System Participation platforms and systems
Establish a citizen participation PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1) Prepare terms
governance
N°4 system for effective community of reference and select consultants for implementation.
participation in decision making and (2) Conduct interviews with citizens and city
planning processes officials. (3) Develop the appropriate systems for
participations based on interviews. (4) Develop a
database for keeping information on participation
EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED:
LOCATION: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (1) Photo copier machine. (2) Printer.
DURATION: 6 months (3) Computer. (4) Software.

BENFICIARIES: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: NGOs, Private
Consultants, Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
ESTIMATED COST: USD 10,000
BACKGROUND: Citizen Participation in Ghana
is one of the lacking areas of decentralization.
The main decision making process in which
citizens participate is the development of the
Medium Term Plan by MMDAs. In this regard,
there is very little or no awareness on programs,
projects and initiatives undertaken by the city,
sometimes leading to citizens’ reluctance in
paying taxes or being interested in city assets.
Due to inadequate funding, there is no established
system in the city for the city to constantly
inform citizens on programs and projects or for
citizens to make their grievances or comments
known for consideration by the city.
There is therefore the need to improve
on the current system of participation to
make it more effective and inclusive.
OBJECTIVES: To ensure the participation
of residents in the development and decision
making processes of Tamale for successful
implementation of projects. To promote adherence
project proposals - governance

to city ordinances and instill a sense of ownership

of projects, programs and city assets.
ACTIVITIES: (1) Development of participation
system or systems in the form of a forum, city
newsletter, flyers, suggestion boxes, brochures etc.
(2) Review and acceptance of participation system.

2222
Slums and shelter

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

WATER AND SANITATION

High potential for ground Inadequate funds from Influence of District Pollution of water bodies.
water development. Government of Ghana and Assemblies Common Fund.
Assembly. High reliance on NGOs/
Existing institutions for Social Investment Fund/ Donors could lead to donor
water and sanitation Low capacity of the Ministry European Union Micro- fatigue.
delivery. of Environment Science and project.
Technology (MEST). Drought.
High communal spirit of Highly Indebted Poor
communities. Lack of improvement to Country fund.
Dalun head works.
Involvement of NGOs in Government policy on water
water delivery. Limited coverage of potable privatization.
water by Ghana Water
Company Limited. High communal spirit.

High cost of water. Readiness of NGOs and

other donors to assist.
Unwillingness to pay for
sanitation services.

Inadequate sanitation
equipment.

Management of facilities by
local communities.

HOUSING AND UTILITY SERVICE

Availability of service Services have not been Avenue to educate public Non-conformity to regula-
providers; electricity, water extended to all areas. to develop according to tions can contribute to slum
etc. planning schemes. creation in some areas.
Low levels of service provi-
Secured land. sion where they exist. Use of local building Inability to extend services
materials. due to lack of funds.
Available local materials Non-conformity to develop-
for construction. ment and building regula- Market for rentals. Slum development due to
tions. low level of services.
Availability of planning Serviced plots before

Project proposals - slums AND SHELTER

schemes to guide Interspersed development development.
development. of housing in new areas.

Department of Urban High cost of servicing such

Roads constructing roads developments.
in the communities.
Old housing stock.
Moderately priced land to
meet all pockets.

Building regulation allows

use of mud and thatch
for construction in low
income areas.

Young entrepreneurs
investing in housing.

Ghana Real Estate

Developers Association
(GREDA) and Real Estate
Developers putting up
houses.

2323
 Project proposal PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: A centrally
SLUMS AND coordinated effort to train master artisans (preferably
Programme to improve capacity for a Non Governmental Organization), who would then
SHELTER
N°1 urban housing upgrading train local construction workers in all specialities of
construction. Training fees would be worked into a
work and pay or an in-service programme. After the
LOCATION: Tamale. training basic working tools would be provided for
trainees to enable them start their own workshops
DURATION: On going. and probably train other trainees. The system
was used successfully under the United Nations
BENEFICIARIES: Youth particularly in Centre for Human Settlements programme on
housing and construction trades / Skill. “Strengthening Community Management Project”.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Non EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED: Working tools
Governmental Organizations, Master for the various professional disciplines to be trained
Artisans, Vocational training facilities. e.g. carpenters, masons, electrician and plumbers etc.
ESTIMATED COST: USD 100,000
BACKGROUND: Some community upgrading
programmes have been undertaken in the Tamale
Metropolis. These have targeted the development of
infrastructure and utility services. Little attention
was paid to improvement in housing conditions.
Consequently housing quality has remained
fairly poor still giving the township an old and
dilapidated outlook. There is the increasing need
for maintenance of the housing stock to help stop
their deterioration. Housing conditions are poor
because of poor quality of materials used and the
poor level of skill and workmanship. New housing
development also shows signs of poor workmanship
in the design, organisation and construction.
There are a number of unskilled and unemployed
youth in the Metropolis who could be trained to
acquire skills in building construction. These will
form a core of skilled personnel to be employed
to undertake housing construction and housing
improvement projects in the Metropolis.
Project proposals - slums AND SHELTER

OBJECTIVES: (1) Improve urban housing

construction and maintenance. (2) Develop
appropriate technology for urban housing in the
Metropolis. (3) Provide construction skills for
artisans and construction workers. (4) Provide
employment and improve incomes of workers.
ACTIVITIES: (1) Identify, train and build necessary
capacity for master artisans. (2) Identify and enrol
local construction and unskilled youth. (3) Enlist
property owners who would be willing to embark on
housing improvement or new construction collection.
OUTPUTS: (1) Trained local labour force in
housing construction and maintenance. (2)
Improved local housing quality. (3) Increased value
for property. (4) City beautification and safety
of accommodation due to improved structural
quality. (5) Increase income to artisans.

2424
 Project proposal OUTPUTS: (1) Improved access to house and public
SLUMS AND places. (2) Improved road condition. (3) Provision
Community upgrading of Ward K, I of community facilities like water supply, electricity
SHELTER
N°2 and I Extension and improved sanitation.(4) Flood abetment and
improved drainage.(5) Improvement in general
environmental profile.(6) Improvement in housing and
LOCATION: Tamale business environment. (7) Reduction in incidence in
occurrence of vector, water and faecal related diseases.
DURATION: 24 months
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: Use the existing
BENEFICIARIES: Residents of Ward land use maps/sector layout to determine boundaries
I and I Extension, and Ward K. of properties to provide title to land. The Assembly
structure for contracting bidding should be used
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Tamale rather than putting in place alternative systems.
Metropolitan Assembly, Ministry of Local Government
and Rural Development, Consultants, Contractors etc.
ESTIMATED COST: USD 950,000
BACKGROUND: Wards K, I, and I Extension are
located within the central part of Tamale. The three
communities have a population of 13,438 covering
an area of 265 acres. Although these communities
are in the centre of town they still exhibit rural
characteristics. Developments are haphazard and
access to homes is mostly non-existent or is along
narrow lanes. Where tracks exist they are ungraded
and highly eroded by storm water or domestic grey
water channels. By virtue of the location of Wards I
and I Extension close to Aboabo market, small-scale
commercial and cooking activities are predominant
and these also have serious negative impact on the
environment particularly in sanitation and waste
disposal. Flooding is perineal in the communities.
OBJECTIVES: (1)Provide access roads into the
communities. (2) Provide storm water and roadside
drains. (3) Improve on water supply and electricity
in the communities. (4) Provide sanitation facilities.
(5) Undertake improvement in housing.

Project proposals - slums AND SHELTER

ACTIVITIES: (1) Survey the area.(2)Prepare
upgrading package and necessary reports and contract
documents etc. (3)Relocate affected residential
properties. (4) Construct roads and lanes and other
project infrastructure. (5) Conduct public sensitization
for home improvement etc. to take advantage of
improved infrastructure. (6) Assist households in
home improvement and provision of household
sanitation and construct domestic toilets. (7) Provide
support and maintenance services collection.

2525
 Gender and HIV/aids

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION

Ministry of Women and Limited funds. NGO willing to support girl Cultural practices on percep-
Children Affairs. child education. tion of women.
Non-functioning of sub-
Role models. structures. Programmes to encourage Little emphasis placed on
girl child education. the education of girls.
Gender desk in the High illiteracy rate.
Assembly. Presence of religious groups Urban drift.
High poverty level among to advice parents to educate
National Council women. their children.
on Women and
Development. High dropout rates for the Gender affirmative action.
girl child.
Women’s Groups.
Low girl-child enrolment at
Free Compulsory Universal basic and senior secondary
Basic Education. school levels.

Girl Child Programmes. Early marriages.

United Nations Children’s Teenage pregnancy.

Fund.
Early involvement of girls in
economic activities.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Children’s Act 560 of Large families. NGOs (Women and Poverty.

1998. Children).
High cost of education. Extended family system.
Community tribunals. Programme of Donor
Parental irresponsibility. Agencies favour women High illiteracy rate.
Children’s homes and and children.
orphanages. Ignorance of child and Child labour.
women’s right. Religious bodies.
Women and Juvenile Unit Child trafficking.
Standard of education Media for dissemination of
Social Welfare. amongst women. Incidence of increase in
information.
project proposals - gender and hiv/aids

rape.
Ministry of Women and Cultural practices ( Female Parent Teacher Association
Children Affairs. Genital Mutilation). Increase in HIV / AIDS.
/ School Management
Committees to protect the Unemployment / Under
Gender Desk of the As-
interest of children. employment among
sembly.
women.
Draft National Gender and
Children Policy.

Legislations on Conven-
tion on Elimination of all
forms of Discrimination
Against Women.

26
26
 Project proposal Project proposal
GENDER GENDER
HIV/AIDS Redevelopment of Tamale Central HIV/AIDS
N°1 N°2 Support for Girl Child Education
Market

LOCATION: Central Market measuring LOCATION: Primary and Junior

approximately 1.6 hectares. Secondary Schools in Tamale.
DURATION: 14 months. DURATION: On going.
BENEFICIARIES: Market women BENEFICIARIES: Girls in Primary
and local community. School and Junior Secondary Schools.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Tamale IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: United
Metropolitan Assembly , Commercial Nations Children’s Fund, Ghana Education
and Business Community. Service, Non Governmental Organizations,
Community Based Organizations.
ESTIMATED COST: USD 600,000
ESTIMATED COST: USD 150,000
BACKGROUND: The central market is situated in
the centre of the city and was destroyed about 20 BACKGROUND: School drop out rates in the
years ago. It was rebuilt mainly through the effort Metropolis is very high. The drop out rate for girls
of the traders without any professional input. It is is even higher. The situation can be attributed to
currently overcrowded, haphazard with hardly any cultural as well as economic reasons. The northern
provision for circulation. The market is occupied region has also been noted as the origin of many
mainly by women and used for daily shopping young girls who flock the cities in the south to engage
and marketing activities. The market is faced with in head poterage and other forms of child labour and
unsanitary amenity, highly prone to fire and has no abuse. The Assembly has been worried about the high
amenity in case of any disasters. Its redevelopment levels of girl child school dropouts and is therefore
would not only help to improve commercial activity seeking assistance to support a project on halting it.
of women who have now spilled onto the main roads
but also improve safety and security, metropolis OBJECTIVE: (1) Encourage girls to attain
revenue and urban environment improvement. basic education. (2) Improve the quality
of life of women in the Metropolis.
OBJECTIVE: (1) To rehabilitate and construct
the Tamale Central market with all the amenities ACTIVITIES: (1)Identify schools to be assisted.
and services. (2) Improve the working and (2) Identify female pupils. (3) Identify girls of
commercial environment of women in Tamale. school going age who are not going to school.

project proposals - gender and hiv/aids

(3) Improve safety and security of investment. (4) (4) Estimate cost involved. (5) Formulate
Improve urban environmental amenity. (5) Improve mechanisms for providing assistance. (6) Devise
management capacity and metropolis revenue. monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

ACTIVITIES: (1) Assessment of existing OUTPUT: (1) Subsidies for school fee, provision of
infrastructure and services. (2) Design and costing school uniforms and provision of food rations for girls.
of rehabilitation package. (3) Seeking funding (2) Counselling for girls.(3) Counselling for parents
partner. (4) Construction of market in phases. and teachers. (4) Community awareness education
on affirmative action on girl child education.
OUTPUT: (1) Rehabilitated market complex.
(2) Formulation of contracts for private PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: The project
participation in the management of the market. will be implemented through the Assembly,
United Nations Children’s Fund, Local Non
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: As a capital Governmental Organizations, Community Based
investment project of the Assembly. Funding Organizations and the Ghana Education Service.
to be sourced by the Assembly from central
government and bilateral and multilateral sources. EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED:
No equipment required.
EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED:
Contractor to use his equipment.

2727
 Project proposal OBJECTIVE: (1) Reduce the incidence of
GENDER violence against women. (2) Provide women the
HIV/AIDS Programme to prevent Violence against means of redress in cases of violence. (3) Sensitise
N°3 Women community to support women against cultural
practices that constitute violence against women.
project proposals - gender and hiv/aids

ACTIVITIES: (1)Establish community support and

LOCATION: Tamale advocacy groups for violence against women. (2)
DURATION: On going Initiate action to eradicate practices that constitute
violence against women. (3) Create awareness in
BENEFICIARIES: Women in Tamale. men on negative cultural practices against women.

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Non OUTPUT: (1) Advocacy groups formed.(2) Women

Governmental Organizations, Community Based and men sensitised. (3) More girl children educated.
Organizations, Traditional Authorities, Ghana
Police, Judicial Service, Religious Organisations. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: Implemented
through collaboration of the Assembly with Non
ESTIMATED COST: USD 250,000 Governmental Organizations and civil society groups.

BACKGROUND: Some cultural practices EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED:

impinge heavily on the freedom and human rights No equipment required.
of women. Low literacy levels of women, lack
of awareness of their rights and limited access to
legal services are some factors that contribute to
the high incidence of cases of violence against
women. Some of these include domestic violence,
female genital mutilation, early marriages,
servitude, widowhood rights, inheritance etc.

28
28
ENVIRONMENT

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Presence of Waste Lack of sanitation vehicles. Willingness of private sector High cost involved in waste
Management Department. to participate in waste collection.
Inadequate facilities for use management.
Availability of land fill and by residents. High growth rate of
sewage treatment plant. NGOs involvement in population and in-migration
Garbage pile up at sanitation. will create load on facilities
National Sanitation Policy. collection points. (floating population).
Use of District Assemblies
Sanitation by-laws. Littering in the Common Fund and Highly Low maintenance culture
communities. Indebted Poor Countries can lead to constant
Fund. breakdown of vehicles and
Poor personal hygiene.
facilities.
Landfill – Create
Inability to sanction
employment and income
offenders.
generation.
Poor development control.
Manure from sewage plant.
High poverty levels.

Low capacity of staff.

Inadequate information
about the System.

Unwillingness to pay for

services.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

Presence of Environmental High rate of fuel wood use Savanna Resources Seasonal flooding and
Protection Agency and for cooking. Management Center. drought.
Town and Country Planning
Department (TCPD). Choked drains. Savanna Biodiversity project. Soil erosion leading
degradation.
Development Planning Sub- Poor drainage. National Policy on
Committee. desertification. Lack of awareness on
Inadequate disposal sites. horticultural activities.
Presence of Fire Service Radio station for public
Poor development control. education. Bush fires destroy vegetation
Department and nurseries.
and crops.
Haphazard development. Ghana National Fire Service
Traditional Conservation PROJECT PROPOSALS - environment
areas. Over grazing.
Congestion in markets. Savannah Agricultural
Existence of urban gardens. Research Institute - NGO
Limited market for
horticulture products. Trained Horticulturists.
Department of Parks and
Gardens. Illegal disposal sites. Environmental NGOs/Clubs
in Schools.
Unorganized informal
sector activities.

2929
 Project proposal Project proposal
ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT
N°1 Supply of sanitation equipment N°2 Redevelopment of Aboabo Market

LOCATION: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly LOCATION: Aboabo Market in Tamale Central

DURATION: 12 months covering an area of 6.1hectares and a large terminal
for regional buses and articulated trucks
BENEFICIARIES: Tamale Metropolis.
DURATION: 24 months
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS:
Equipment Suppliers. BENEFICIARIES: Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
. Commercial and Business Community.
ESTIMATED COST: US$ 1,200,000
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS: Private
BACKGROUND: One of the major components of Sector, Funding Institutions, Ministry of Local
the Urban IV project implemented in Tamale is the Government and Ministry of Works and Housing.
development and construction of engineered landfill
site and oxidation ponds for disposal of both solid and ESTIMATED COST: USD 750,000
liquid waste. The site is located in Tamale central. The BACKGROUND: The Aboabo market is one of
Assembly is currently having difficulties in getting the the largest grains/cereals and yam market within
necessary equipment to move the generation sites to the northern sector. The market serves traders
the disposal points. Consequently solid waste is piled from the whole of Ghana and Burkina Faso.
up in the communities creating conditions for diseases
and very bad odour in the communities. The Assembly The government started the construction of a large
has one skip truck, two side loaders and a truck. These warehouse for grain/cereals storage in the 1970s. The
vehicles are old and break down very often. For liquid project was later abandoned. Trading and warehousing
waste the Assembly has two cesspit emptiers which activities are on going on the completed section, which
are 6 and 19 years old, and thus beak down very comprise of the ground floor with walls and first floor
often. The Assembly is therefore desperate in seeking slab and columns. A centre for the fumigation of grains
to procure refuse trucks to service the Metropolis. and cereals has also been constructed in the market.
OBJECTIVE: (1) To procure refuse vehicles The grains trade is the region’s main economic
for the management of solid and liquid waste backbone, the Metropolitan Assembly thus anticipates
in Tamale. (2) To establish a maintenance that the redevelopment of the Aboabo market is one
service unit for plants and equipment. single capital investment project that would greatly
transform the lives of both the inhabitants of the city
ACTIVITIES: (1) Assessment of equipment as well as the region. The Metropolis also believes that
required. (2) Tender for the equipment. (3) if the project is well packaged it could attract private
Procurement of equipment. (4) Training of investment capital and expertise. The redevelopment
operators and mechanics. (5) Development and would also create substantial employment in the city.
training on operational and supervision manuals.
PROJECT PROPOSALS - environment

OBJECTIVE: (1) To rehabilitate and construct

OUTPUT: (1) Solid waste trucks and spare the Aboabo market and provide infrastructure and
parts. (2) Liquid waste trucks and spare services. (2) To promote grain storage and cut down
parts. (3) Trained operators and mechanics. on post harvest loses. (3) To enhance commercial
(4) Structured operational manual. activity within the Metropolis. (4) To improve on
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: (1) Technical metropolis revenue base. (5) To improve micro
support in the selection of appropriate equipment. economic environment within the Metropolis.
(2) Technical support in procurement procedures ACTIVITIES: (1) Assessment of existing
in association with the District Tender Board. (3) infrastructure & services. (2) Design and costing
Hands on training for drivers, mechanics and other of rehabilitation package. (3) Seeking funding
operators. (4)Technical support for training on partner. (4) Construction of market in phases.
operational organisation, supervision and monitoring. (5) Develop structures for management and
EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED: (1) revenue collection within the markets.
Cesspit emptiers. (2) Pay loader. (3) Roll on Roll
off skip loaders. (5) Protective gear. (6) Push
trucks for pre-collection. (7) Communication
Equipment. (8) Computer. (9) Vehicle.

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OUTPUT: (1) Completion of abandoned market
stalls and ware houses. (2)Redevelopment of
dilapidated market sheds. (3) Reorganisation
and putting pavements on internal access and
circulation. (4) Provision of ancillary amenity
i.e. toilets, drainage, lorry park etc.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:
(1) Technical expertise in the preparation of project PROJECT PROPOSALS - environment
feasibility and investment prospectus. (2) Secure
funding partnerships. (3) Negotiate contract and
procurement processes. (4) Construction activities.
(5) Develop and design partnership with private sector
in areas of management, revenue collection etc.
EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED:
Contractor to use his equipment.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; 2002; Profile of Tamale Metropolitan Assembly

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; 2002; Tamale Medium Term Development Plan for Tamale;
2002 to 2004

ACRONYMS:

CBD Central Business District

CBO Community Based Organization
CHRAJ Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
CWSA Community Water and Sanitation Agency
DACF District Assemblies Common Fund
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FCUBE Free Compulsory Universal basic Education
FGM Female Genital Mutilation
FSD Fire Service Department
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GES Ghana Education service
GLSS Ghana Living Standard Survey
GOG Government of Ghana
GWCL Ghana Water Company Limited
HIPC Highly Indebted Poor Country
HIV/AIDS Human Immune Deficiency Syndrome/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ILGS Institute of Local Government Studies
JSS Junior Secondary School
L.I. Legislative Instrument
MCD Metro/Metropolis Coordinating Director
MCE Metropolitan/Municipal Chief Executive
MFEP Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
MIS Metropolitan Information Service
MLGRD Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
MOWAC Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
MPCU Metropolitan Planning and Coordinating Unit
MTDP Medium Term Development Plan
NCWD National Council on Women and Development
NDPC National Development Planning Commission
NGO Non Governmental Organization
PHC Population and Housing Census
PPP Private Public Partnership
RGR Refuse Generation Rate
SSS Senior Secondary School
TAMA Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
VRA Volta River Authority
 Tamale mini consultation

Attendance List

Name and Organization

Doson A. Alhassan Metropolitan Coordinating Director
Clara Rose Babtuo M.I.O
Albert A. Bachari Department of Rural Housing
Issahaku Paul Alhassan Markaz
Nkabo Abdulai Interim Management Committee
Iddi Asumah Environmental Health Unit
Francis Danso Town and Country Planning Department
Joel B. Asiedu Environmental Protection Agency
Zaratu Asbolulrahi Tamale Metropolitan Agency, Social Services
Abukari Zakari Waste Management Division
Theophilus Amanatey Waste Management Division
Issah Amadu Badu Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
W.A. Tarizina Statistics
Issah Salifu Musah Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
Theophilus I. Dokurugu New Energy
Bahinatu Issifu GDC
Mary C. Buah Ghana Education Service
Ashetu Abdul- Mumuni Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
A. M. Baba Tamale Metropolitan Assembly
Alhaji Iddrisu Adam Tamale Metropolitan Assembly

CONTACTS:
Alioune Badiane, Director, Regional Office for Africa and the Arab States,
E-mail: alioune.badiane@unhabitat.org
Alain Grimard, Programme Manager for PSUP and Focal Point for Ghana
Email: alain.grimard@unhabitat.org
E-mail: PSUP@unhabitat.org

GHANA TEAM:
Adolphine Asimah, Team Leader
Ben Doe, Team Member
Doris Tetteh, Team Member
Sylvester Gabianu, Team Member

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