CoST Sekondi-Takoradi Foundation became a CoST member in 2019, registered as a non-profit organization in 2020 and is currently operating in the western region of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi joined CoST in response to the growing demand for better infrastructure governance to mitigate against vulnerabilities such as real and perceived cases of corruption, capture and mismanagement throughout the infrastructure cycle.
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi Foundation’s mission is to facilitate a multi-stakeholder approach in the publication, review and use of infrastructure data. This improves transparency, participation and accountability and contributes to quality infrastructure that meets people’s needs. This contributes to achieving the vision of delivering on quality infrastructure, strengthening the economy and bettering the lives of citizens.
JOINING CoST Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) used the Open Government Plan (OGP) process to make a commitment to improving infrastructure transparency as part of their 2018-2020 action plan. They cited their interest in CoST as stemming directly from their involvement in OGP. They knew their membership to CoST would help them with their open government commitments by fostering partnership with relevant local and international organisations; by adopting the CoST Infrastructure Data Standard and developing mechanisms to engage citizens in the infrastructure delivery cycle. This is an excellent example of the synergy between CoST and OGP principles, working in tandem to encourage and support openness in service delivery.
STMA achieved its OGP commitment by developing an open data portal available on the CoST STMA website where data would be published on infrastructure projects in a consistent format, using the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS). One of the achievements of CoST STMA has been convincing eight neighbouring local governments and other government entities within the Western Region of Ghana to publish data on their infrastructure investments on the portal. The portal hosts data on 64 projects from 15 sectors including education, health, transport, water and waste.
Some of their key milestone achievements are;
Empowered over 1,000 stakeholders, including local government officials, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, media professionals, construction experts, and community leaders, through 15 impactful capacity-building and awareness-raising events. Activities focused on advancing CoST’s infrastructure data review processes; encompassing the development of publication standards for procuring entities; promoting business integrity,;enhancing infrastructure reporting and investigative journalism; fostering social accountability; and introducing infrastructure monitoring tools. Additionally, these events facilitated independent social audits and engaged 300 residents, including traditional leaders, in various aspects of CoST’s transformative work.
Established an annual infrastructure data review process and publishing two comprehensive Assurance Reports covering 13 significant infrastructure projects. Through this rigorous process, stakeholders gained invaluable insights into the disclosed data concerning specific projects, facilitated by an independent team. By highlighting both project-specific and overarching findings, as well as ensuring the accuracy of infrastructure data in the public domain, this initiative catalysed infrastructure reforms. As a result, enhanced stakeholder engagement was observed across 8 district assemblies in the Western Region of Ghana, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Progressing towards greater transparency and accountability, developed an Online Disclosure Portal/Data Disclosure Platform to disseminate information pertaining to public infrastructure projects. By adhering to the Infrastructure Data Standard and the Open Contracting for infrastructure Data Standard, this platform democratizes access to project data for the general public, thereby ensuring value for money in the delivery of public infrastructure. Initial efforts target eight procuring entities, primarily local governments, with the potential for wider implementation in the future.
Fostered the formation and capacity-building of eight CoST District Citizens’ Monitoring Teams, equipped to implement Assurance recommendations and conduct independent social audits on infrastructure projects. This grassroots initiative empowers local communities to actively participate in monitoring and ensuring the accountability and effectiveness of infrastructure initiatives.
Establishment of a Baseline Measure of Transparency: The publication of the Scoping Study Report solidifies a foundational measure of transparency in publicly-funded infrastructure projects at both national and sub-national levels.
Inauguration of the 1st Subnational Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI): This pioneering initiative has quantified the levels of infrastructure transparency and elevated the quality of associated processes, fostering heightened participation and accountability among procuring entities at the sub-national level.
Unveiling of Real-Time Infrastructure Monitoring Tools: The launch of the Electronic Infrastructure Monitoring Tool (E-IMT) and the Infrastructure Analytical Dashboard signifies a breakthrough in accessibility to live project data. This empowers stakeholders to effectively scrutinize ongoing infrastructure projects, holding duty-bearers accountable and ensuring optimal value from public investments in infrastructure.
Mayor of STMA and CoST Vice Chair, George Ofori
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi Hosted the 51st Board Meeting in Ghana. The primary objective of hosting the 51st CoST Board Meeting in Ghana was to showcase the subnational experience of CoST Sekondi-Takoradi and facilitate peer learning for other subnational programs within the CoST network. By highlighting impact stories, adoption of CoST tools and standards, and successful multi-stakeholder collaborations, the meeting aims to enhance capacity, promote effective governance in local infrastructure projects, and foster engagement with stakeholders.
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi is governed by a 12-member Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), with its day-to-day operations carried out by the CoST local chapter Secretariat. The MSG meets monthly and its responsibilities include setting strategy, approving budgets, monitoring finances and operations, and playing advocacy roles. It is made up of a neutral forum drawn from government, the private sector & civil society – with the willingness and capacity to contribute to achieving the vision of CoST.
Through our work we have enhanced both sector and project level reforms through multi-stakeholder engagements and access to data on high-value infrastructure projects involving millions of Ghana Cedis. Our approach, tools and standards are now recognized within our geographical scope of operations (Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly, Nzema East Municipal Assembly, Ahanta West Municipal Assembly, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, Mpohor District Assembly, Wassa East District Assembly, Shama District Assembly)as best practice and received endorsement from the Western Regional Coordinating Council, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Open Contracting Partnership and the Open Government Partnership initiative.Local civil society partners include Friends of the Nation, African Women International, Ghana News Agency and STMA Citywide Settlement Upgrading Fund.
