MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DECENTRALISATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (MLGDRD)

CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS GHANA URBAN FORUM, 2024 (#GUF2024) MAY 2024| GHANA

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) announces a Call for Papers and Posters for the 2024 Edition of the Ghana Urban Forum scheduled to take place in May 2024.

Brief Description

The development and growth of our towns and cities depend largely on meticulous and proper planning, coordination, and management of our human settlements both historically and in the present context.  In recent times, countries have shown growing dynamism in formulating policies and designing programmes as well as projects to ensure orderly and well-planned development of our human settlements culminating in resilient and sustainable towns and cities. These policies, programmes and projects mostly require inclusive policy debates/dialogues, sustained advocacy, and capacity development efforts, alongside cooperation and effective coordination among various stakeholders to attain the desired developmental changes in our towns and cities.

The Ministry has over the years provided Inclusive National-Level Dialogue Platforms/Fora particularly the Ghana Urban Forum (GUF), to bring together multi-stakeholders to deliberate on important urban development and management issues, share a common vision for sustainable urban development and proffer solutions to urban development challenges that align with the Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA). The stakeholders range from citizens, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local government officials, Parliamentarians, civil society organisations local communities, the private sector, professional bodies and practitioners, the scientific and academic communities, our Development Partners, traditional authorities, the media, among others. 

Thus, GUF creates a Platform to support urban development policy dialogues and processes in the country as well as contribute to international urban policy dialogues and strategies. The platform also aims to collate national contributions to be reflected in development strategies.

The 2024 Edition of the Ghana Urban Forum is being organised under the theme, “Nurturing Roots, Growing Futures: Combining Policies and Partnerships for Urban Resilience and Transformation”.   

Individuals, groups, and organisations are invited to submit abstracts and posters in line with the topics of interest below, for consideration: Topics of interest 

1. Refocusing and integrating systems and frameworks for effective urban policies
2. Urban economies; financing options for investment in urban infrastructure and services; Public Private Partnerships; innovative financing options; local economic development; balanced, sustainable, and equitable growth.
3. Resilient urban infrastructure and services; transportation systems; sustainable energy solutions; social housing and financing options; urban utility and services networks; spatial planning; and collaborative planning.
4. Innovative strategies for disaster prevention and management; urban planning; public spaces; urban greenery; urban food systems; and community resilience and revitalisation.
5. Participatory urban governance models; role of digital tools; inclusivity in urban governance (focus on gender and child-friendly urban areas); and urban safety.

All topics and posters must respond appropriately to the main theme of #GUF2024. Abstracts must be submitted in soft copy (one simple PDF file per topic chosen) to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The deadline for submission of abstracts and posters is close of business on Tuesday, 12^th March 2024. Notification of acceptance will be issued by Wednesday, 20^th March 2024. The deadline for the submission of Final Papers is close of business on Wednesday, 3^rd April 2024.