Effective governance of equitable and sustainable development
International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) ODA: Creating A Community Of Practice Among City And Service Managers In Ghana Project.
The funding supports UK researchers and innovators in collaborating with international partners on multidisciplinary projects focused on major themes: Planet, Health, Tech, and Talent. Managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and delivered by leading UK research bodies, the fund aims to enhance global scientific collaboration. The fund aims to deliver impactful research and innovation through international collaboration, tackle global challenges, contribute to Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthen the UK's global influence.
This builds on previous activities, such as CPD at GIMPA in Accra which demonstrated the benefits of combining academic and practical knowledge. The next step is creating a Community of Practice to produce training materials for public managers in Ghana and beyond. These communities are valuable for policy development, cross-departmental collaboration, capacity building, evidence-based practice, stakeholder engagement, and crisis management. The overarching theme is effective governance for equitable and sustainable development.
Project Summary
Schedule 17th-23rd March
Schedule 17th-23rd March
Monday: Arrivals. At 2pm, there will be a Core Group Meeting with Dr. Nana, Dean Patrick, Prof. Kingsley, and Shailen. At 3:30pm, the whole group will have Afternoon Tea and a Case Study Discussion.
Tuesday: The day starts with an Opening Plenary at 10am, chaired by Prof. Kingsley, with a panel including the GIMPA Rector, Dr. Jason Lowther, and Dr. Nana. Dean Patrick will facilitate a whole group discussion, followed by Shailen facilitating two podcast recordings with three practitioners. The coach will depart from the hotel at 9:30am. Afternoon sessions will run simultaneously, with the composition of podcast participants to be confirmed.
Wednesday: At 10am, there is a meeting with the West Midlands Deputy Mayor and a tour of the Authority Building. At 1pm, there will be a meeting with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and a tour of the Council House. The coach will depart from the hotel at 9:15am.
Thursday: The day begins with a Plenary at 10am, chaired by Prof. Kingsley, featuring a panel with Dr. Adriane Esquivel Muelbert and Dr. Courtney Campbell, Co-Directors of the UoB Brazil Institute. At 2pm, Dean Patrick will facilitate a whole group discussion, while Shailen will facilitate two podcast recordings with three practitioners. The coach will depart from the hotel at 9:30am. Afternoon sessions will run simultaneously, with the composition of podcast participants to be confirmed.
Friday: The Closing Plenary at 10am will be chaired by Dr. Nana, with a panel including Madame Mo Baines, Lead Non-Executive Director of the UK Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Madame Nadira Hussein, CEO of the Society of Innovation, Technology and Modernisation. At 2pm, Dean Patrick will facilitate a whole group discussion, and Shailen will facilitate a podcast recording with three practitioners. The coach will depart from the hotel at 9:30am. Afternoon sessions will run simultaneously, with the composition of podcast participants to be confirmed. At 4pm, there will be Afternoon Tea and a Feedback Session.
Saturday: Departures. The coach will depart from the hotel at 8:30am.
Attendees
Attendees
- Ms Felicia Dapaah- Chief Director, National Local Government Service
- Madam Koray Fati Issaka- Chief Director, Upper West RCC
- Emmanuel Baisie - City Manager, Korle Klottey Municipality
- Ms Rachel Fosua-Sarpong - City Manager, Adentan Municipality
- Francis Dwira Darko - City Manager, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly
- John Nana Owu - City Manager, Tema Metropolitan Assembly
- Francis Mensah - City Manager, Okaikoi North Municipality
- Sammuel Affadu - City manager, Okere District Assembly
- Mohammed Abdullah - Development Planning Officer, Kwahu Afram Plains North District Assembly
- Thomas Okrah - City Manager, Adansi North District Assembly
- Prof. Samual K. Bonsu - Rector of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
- Dr Nana Ato Arthur - Outgoing Head of Local Government Service
- Dr Patrick Tandoh-Offin - Dean of School of Public Management and Governance, GIMPA
- Prof. Kingsley Agomor – GIMPA-UoB Lead
- Ms Tsion Dereje - Programme Management Officer · The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) The Office of the Executive Secretary
Research objectives
Research objectives
Communities of Practice are particularly valuable in the field of public management and policy making for the following reasons:
- Policy Development: CoPs enable policymakers and public managers to share insights and experience, fostering the development of more informed and effective policies. Members can discuss the impact of existing policies, share successful strategies from different regions, and collaboratively develop innovative policy solutions.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Public management often involves various departments and agencies working together. CoPs facilitate cross-departmental collaboration by providing a platform for members from different sectors to engage and learn from each other. This can lead to more cohesive and integrated approaches to public policy.
- Capacity Building: CoPs help build the capacity of public managers and policymakers by offering continuous learning opportunities. Members can stay updated with the latest research, trends, and best practices, which enhances their skills and knowledge in public management.
- Evidence-Based Practice: By sharing evidence and research findings, CoPs promote the use of evidence-based practices in public management and policy making. Members can critically assess the effectiveness of various interventions and adopt those that have a proven track record of success.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Effective public management and policy making require engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and civil society organizations. CoPs provide a forum for engaging these stakeholders, gathering their input, and incorporating their perspectives into policy decisions.
- Crisis Management and Problem Solving: In times of crisis, CoPs can be invaluable for rapid problem solving and coordination. Public managers and policymakers can quickly share information, discuss solutions, and coordinate their responses to emerging challenges.