our city portal welcomes delegation from Ghana for municipal sector exchange

A delegation from Ghana’s Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) recently visited the Municipal Training Institute of Our City Portal. The five-day exchange, held from December 8–12, 2025, focused on sharing expertise in administrative training, personnel development, and democratic governance. The trip strengthened ties between North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Ghana, building on a partnership that began in 2023.

The visit centred on professional exchanges in municipal governance and public administration. Delegates observed classes at the Municipal Training Institute, where German and Ghanaian constitutional and electoral systems were compared. Discussions also covered local democratic structures and best practices in personnel development.

Talks took place with key departments, including the Training and Professional Development Division, the Leadership Academy, and the InOffice training firm. Dr. Stephen Omari, Academic Dean at ILGS, and Dr. Hawa Mahama, a public administration lecturer, engaged with their counterparts in Essen on shared challenges and solutions. The exchange was organised with support from the NRW State Chancellery and the Municipalities Service Agency (One World). Funding came from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This collaboration extends a relationship between NRW and Ghana that spans over two decades.

The delegation’s visit reinforced ongoing cooperation in municipal training and governance. Future exchanges are expected to build on the discussions held during the programme. The partnership continues to promote knowledge sharing between German and Ghanaian institutions.