Sunyani West – Adomonline.com

Sunyani West’s Pln. Gifty Nyarko honoured with prestigious African Ambassador title

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:53:01 +0000

The Head of the Physical Planning Department at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly and National Interim President of the Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners, Pln. Gifty Nyarko, has been conferred the prestigious title of African Ambassador for Inclusive Urban Governance and Climate-Resilient Development by The Business Executive Group.

The award was presented at a ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, by Ambassador Pavel Vziatkin of Belarus.

It was attended by dignitaries from across Africa and recognised Pln. Nyarko’s outstanding contributions to inclusive and sustainable development on the continent.

With a career marked by grassroots-driven and visionary planning strategies, she has earned international acclaim.

Baroness Paulette Kporo, CEO of The Business Executive Group, hailed her legacy, stating, “Gifty Nyarko represents a new era of African leadership—where innovation, inclusivity, and climate resilience define how cities grow. She is a force for good, and her legacy is already shaping the continent’s future.”

This marks her third major award in 2025, following her recognition as one of Ghana’s Top 100 Titans and recipient of the Community Outstanding Leadership Award.

Pln. Nyarko’s work aligns with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable cities.

She is widely known as “The Grassroots Planner,” “The International Planner,” and “The Iron Woman.” Pln. Nyarko has built a distinguished career rooted in transparency, participation, and local empowerment.

Her leadership in the Green City Project in Dumasua, led by transformational local leader Nana Ayebiafo Jnana, and the naming of Gifty Bubuadan Avenue in Fiapre in her honour, testify to her influence on Ghanaian communities.

She has transformed personal tragedy into national purpose, launching advocacy campaigns that have reached over 100 million people—often with her children at the forefront.

Through her foundation, G2 Foundation, she supports marginalized communities through initiatives like Women in Greenery, Widows in Sanitation, and Youth in Climate Action.

Her two-year ambassadorial roadmap focuses on policy advocacy, capacity building, partnership development, and pilot projects in three African cities.

In her keynote address on economic diplomacy and urban development, she called on African cities to prioritize justice, resilience, and inclusion:

“Our cities must be built on justice, resilience, and inclusion. Diplomacy must empower development—and development must put people first.”

As African Ambassador, her two-year roadmap includes:
• Policy Reform Advocacy
• Capacity Building for Planners and Institutions
• Strategic Partnerships Across Africa and Globally
• Pilot Implementation of Sustainable Urban Projects in Three Cities
• Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks

Her work advances several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

The recognition is a testament to her commitment to people-centered development and inclusive urban governance. Pln. Nyarko’s achievement serves as an inspiration to planners and development professionals across Africa.

She is also pursuing doctoral research in sustainable land management with a focus on urban greenery at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, while serving as Secretary of the Municipal Spatial Planning Committee.

Her civic platform, Time with the People, is a participatory space that links communities, planners, and investors—ensuring development aligns with people’s real needs.

Pln. Nyarko’s lifelong commitment to “Bringing Spatial Planning to the Doorsteps of the People” continues to inspire citizens and professionals alike.

“This recognition is not about me—it’s about us. It belongs to every planner, every young girl dreaming of impact, and every community member who believes in a better Africa. Together, we’re shaping cities that work for people.”

She dedicated the award to her community and supporters, acknowledging the collective effort behind her journey. She thanked government officials, academic mentors, family, and colleagues for their support.

Source: Christian Ofori Kumah

ALSO READ:

Armed robbers attack NPP parliamentary aspirant

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 12:16:20 +0000

A New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant in the Sunyani West constituency, Abdullah Mubarik has been attacked by armed robbers.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday morning on the Sunyani Chiraa road around 2: am.

Mubarik said he was travelling from Sunyani to Chiraa with two others to meet delegates ahead of the primaries.

The robbers attacked them and made away with their mobile phones, laptops and an undisclosed amount of money.

He sustained injuries on the chest, his right hand and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The case has been reported to the Sunyani West District police for further investigation.

The aspirant narrated the incident in an interview with the press after he requested to be discharged to participate in the electoral process.

He, however, appealed to the delegates to vote massively for him because he is the best bet to help NPP break the eight.

Mr. Mubarik is in the race with three aspirants, including Ama Frimpomaa, Managing Director of SIC Life Savings and Loans and incumbent MP and Minister for Labour and Employment Relations Ignatius Baffour Awuah.

1,029 delegates are expected to vote in the election.

Beyi W’ano: MCE to order ‘shoot to kill’ cattle destroying Bono forest reserves

Adwoa Agyeman — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:29:42 +0000

JoyNews/AdomNews · Sunyani West MCE to order shoot to kill cattle destroying forest reserves

As part of efforts to save forest reserves in the Bono Region from depletion, the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly is adopting a new strategy.

‘Shoot to kill’, they believe will solve the yearlong battle with the Fulani herdsmen who keep increasing their flock to destroy the forest reserve and farms.

The Sunyani West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Evans Kusi Boadum, revealed this on Beyi W’ano, a segment on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday.

There are seven forest reserves in the Bono region including Banda, Tain, Wenchi and Sunyani West.

However, about 10,000 cattle have ravaged five of these forest reserves in the Bono region.

This development has threatened government’s Green Ghana project aimed at reducing depletion of Ghana’s forest cover.

All attempts through engagement and dialogue with the herdsmen mainly from Burkina Faso and Mali to move their cattle from the forest have proven futile.

Based on this backdrop, the Sunyani West MCE has resolved to adopt the ‘shoot and kill’ strategy to deter the herdsmen.

According to him, the forest reserves from August 2021 were destroyed by the activities of the herdsmen and cattle which are increasing every day.

Mr Boadum said even the grace period given the herdsmen to move the cattle from all the forest reserves to reduce destruction has fallen on death ears.

Rather, he claimed they order the cattle to charge on the taskforce sent to the forest to evict them.

The Sunyani West MCE said he is now compelled to order security personnel to shoot at the cattle when the herdsmen command them to charge on them.

Mr Boadum appealed for support, especially for the taskforce to motivate them to work to protect Ghana’s forest reserves.