Northern Region Places 15th on 2021 District League Table
The Northern Region ranks 15th in the 2021 District League Table (DLT), with a score of 58.05%, surpassing only the Savannah Region. However, three of its districts ranked among the least 10 performing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the DLT, including Nanumba South, Tatali-Sangule, and Nanton.
At a forum in Tamale, the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), presented the DLT report. The report ranks Greater Accra as the best-performing region in the DLT, with a score of 72.37%, and Tema Metropolitan Assembly as the best-performing assembly, with 81.75%.
The report, which is a tool for tracking national development and highlighting the performances of districts, aims to provide evidence and a basis for equitable allocation of resources and social investments to reduce disparities among MMDAs. The ranking was based on 22 indicators across sectors such as health, education, water, sanitation, energy, nutrition, and governance.
Mr Isaac Kwasi Ewoeh, Principal Planning Analyst at NDPC, presented the report and recommended that the Ministry of Finance and NDPC ensure national resources are allocated appropriately to support lowly-ranked MMDAs.
Dr Sulemana Abudulai, Northern Regional Commissioner of NDPC, stated that the DLT aimed to generate action by the government, ensure better prioritization, and promote positive competition among MMDAs to stimulate good performance. The DLT was institutionalized to improve evidence-based planning and results from the implementation of district medium-term plans.
Alhaji Inusah Abukari, Northern Regional Economic Planning Officer, encouraged MMDAs to focus on the software aspect of development, rather than physical projects, to enhance the country’s development.
Mr Bhanu Pathak, Chief Field Officer, UNICEF, Tamale Field Office, suggested that MMDAs utilize the DLT to enhance social accountability and citizens’ participation in decision-making and monitoring development investments. Additionally, the 2022 DLT was launched at the forum to initiate preparations for the next report.