The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, with support from the European Union through Expertise France, has organised a workshop to validate the draft Urban Observatory indicator framework. The two-day workshop was a step towards the establishment and operationalization of the Urban Observatory (UO) under Component one of the EU Sustainable Cities Project - Phase I. The workshop brought together relevant stakeholders from ministries, departments and agencies, development partners and professional organisations involved in the urban service delivery and monitoring to finalize and approve the service level indicators, scope and targets for the Urban Observatory. It is also to present the scope and structure of the proposed Urban Observatory, discuss the availability and quality of data needed to support the service level indicators, identify gaps in the existing data and explore opportunities for improvement; and work together to finalize these indicators, ensuring that they reflected the realities on the ground and the needs of all stakeholders. Mr Amin Abdul-Rahaman, Chief Director, MLGDRD, said Ghana was experiencing rapid urbanization, with 57 percent of its population currently living in urban areas, and projected to grow to 70 percent by 2050, placing immense pressure on urban infrastructure and services. He said the current rate of urbanization in Ghana placed severe pressure on infrastructure and the provision of basic services in cities and towns, resulting in limited access to key urban services such as water supply, sanitation and waste management. 'Urban infrastructure and service deficits create public health hazards, environmental degradation and climate vulnerability, thereby generating high levels of inequality and slowing down the pace of economic transition, increasing risks of social tension, instability and migration. Mr Abdul-Rahaman said the UO through which data collected could be used to assess gaps and identify opportunities, would improve data on exi sting levels of service contribute to evidence-based planning and decision-making. He said the UO was being established to facilitate the collection, analysis, and monitoring of urban performance at both local and national levels and would play a crucial role in monitoring urban service delivery, enhancing data driven decision-making, and ultimately improving the quality of life in urban areas across Ghana. He said the UO was structured along three strategic pillars, service level indicators which focused on water, sanitation, solid waste management, and urban mobility, integrated spatial planning which highlighted the spatial dimension to urban services and climate data to support local planning, and climate resilience which developed and localised urban climate risks and vulnerability assessments to guide cites for resilient urban infrastructure and services. 'The key feature of the OU is the service indicator module which would demonstrate prevailing levels of service access, quantity, quality and frequ ency. It will also assist stakeholders in planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluating, reporting on service level trends and performance, and promoting comparisons of service levels within and between MMDA's.' He stressed that the outcome of the workshop would serve as the foundation for the future monitoring and evaluation of urban services in Ghana, helping to address the challenges of urbanization in a sustainable and inclusive manner. Madam Paulna Rozicka of the European Union said UO, and their indicators played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cities, and essential hubs for gathering, analyzing, and sharing data that informed policies, guide development, and improve the quality of life of urban residents. 'They provide the data needed to make cities more liveable, equitable, and environmentally sustainable, ensuring that national development is aligned with the realities on the ground, while providing governments with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the ir cities. She said Urban Observatories also gather data on critical areas such as housing, infrastructure, health, education, and environmental sustainability that enabled policymakers to make informed decisions that not only addressed the needs of urban populations but also aligned with national goals for economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. 'The decisions we will make together today will shape the priorities of the UO, as our goal is to create an Urban Observatory that is both sustainable and efficient in the long run.' Source: Ghana News Agency