SOCO project hires 120 community facilitators in Upper East Region

The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project has announced the creation of 382 community facilitator positions, with 120 of these roles specifically allocated to the Upper East Region. This recruitment is part of a US$450 million World Bank-supported initiative designed to strengthen local institutions, build climate resilience, and prevent conflict in northern Ghana. The project, which is scheduled to run until December 2027, aims to foster stability across regions that face increasing environmental and social pressures.

The newly appointed facilitators are currently participating in a three-day intensive training workshop in Bolgatanga. This program is designed to equip them with the necessary skills to mobilize local communities and supervise various project activities. Their primary focus will be on ensuring the active participation of vulnerable groups and driving development at the grassroots level. By acting as a bridge between the project administration and the local population, these facilitators are expected to improve the efficiency of social interventions.

Samuel Larbi Agyarko, the SOCO Regional Coordinator, has urged the facilitators to remain committed to their roles, emphasizing the importance of community development. Since its inception, the five-year project has successfully engaged over 7,000 individuals in various capacities across the target regions. The training in the Upper East marks a significant milestone in the project's broader strategy to decentralize development and empower local agents to manage regional challenges directly. This approach is intended to create a sustainable model for social cohesion that persists long after the project concludes in 2027.