To strengthen the relationship, and bring about a number of mutual benefits, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and the Local Council Association of Sierra Leone (LoCASL). 

The two, longstanding members of CLGF signed the MOU on 31 May at NALAG House in Accra, Ghana at a short ceremony which brought together a number of key stakeholders and partners of NALAG and LoCASL to witness the event.

National framework for cooperation

The purpose of the MOU is to provide the two West Africa associations with a national framework and the terms of reference for closer cooperation and engagement. The areas of cooperation covered in the MOU include: 

• Advocacy and lobbying for improved local government administration and decentralisation  
• Synergy and networking between NALAG and LoCASL
• Experience sharing 
• Training and experiential capacity building
• Research and consultancy services
• Joint organisation of local governance programmes and platforms 
• Sharing of resources (including information and knowledge) which will help advance local governance in both countries as a platform to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

Deepening relationships

CLGF's West Africa Regional Programme Officer, Joyce Ekuful, said: "This is great opportunity to formalise cooperation and deepen the relationship between the two national associations. This will provide a firm foundation for more activities and meaningful collaboration." 

In addition to CLGF, the ceremony was attended by representatives of the Institute of Local Government Studies of Ghana, the Local Government Service of Ghana, United Cities and Local Government - Africa, United Nations Development Programme –Sierra Leone, Local Government –Sierra Leone and the media.