CoST Sekondi-Takoradi is championed by a 12-member Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) who lead, plan and create the civic space for dialogue between and among key stakeholders to achieve CoST’s vision of quality infrastructure, stronger economies and better lives.
The MSG is made up of a neutral forum drawn from government, the private sector & civil society - with the willingness and capacity to contribute to achieving the vision of CoST. By providing a neutral forum, the MSG helps stakeholders to pursue shared objectives to improve the value, efficiency and effectiveness of investment in public infrastructure through the implementation of CoST’s core features and institutionalizing its standards among Procuring Entities.
The MSG serves a 2-year mandate and is chaired by Architect Eugene Fredua Ofori-Atta. Currently, the MSG is made up of a balanced representation from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (Presiding Member of the Assembly, Works Engineer, Statistics Officerand Procurement Officer), representatives from the private sector (Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Adax Construction Limited and Architectural Spring Limited) and from civil society (Ghana News Agency, STMA – Citywide Settlement Upgrading Fund, Friends of the Nationand African Women International).
It has long been established that the infrastructure sector is the engine of growth of any economy. This is because almost every socio-economic activity requires some form of infrastructure facilities such as schools, hospitals, markets, roads and bridges among others to engender projected economic development.
Public investment in economic and social infrastructure ultimately leads to great benefit for the society in terms of direct, indirect and induced benefits. Among these benefits are improvements in economic opportunities such as increased employment, increased competitiveness; improved productivity, reduction in poverty and inequity and creation of additional opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
According to the World Bank, in spite of this positive impact of infrastructure investments, Ghana’s economy is still bedeviled with shortfalls in both economic and social infrastructure contributing to a $1.5bn infrastructure deficit.
Sekondi-Takoradi, just like many Ghanaian cities, face many challenges in managing urbanization and not able to meet the growing demand for infrastructure and services. These needs are not met through the subnational governments’ meagre internally generated revenues or fiscal transfers from the central government, which in most cases do not take into account the pressures faced by growing urban centers.
Although investment in public infrastructure has the potential of ensuring upward social mobility of all citizens, the sector is widely known for its perception and association with corruption which has eroded citizen’s trust in government. The manifestation of corrupt in infrastructure delivery is demonstrated in procurement processes (kick-back taking, collusion, beneficial ownership, bid rigging), contract execution and contract administration (bribery and extortion).
Evidence abounds on how access to infrastructure information has a direct link to fighting corruption and its perception. Access to information is grounded in the recognition that information in the control of Procuring Entities (PEs) is a valuable public resource and that public access to such information promotes greater transparency and accountability and is essential to the reducing the crisis of trust in government.
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi has the capacity to promote tools and standards to enable disclosure, validation, interpretation and use of infrastructure data to empower stakeholders to demand for accountability in the delivery of publicly-funded infrastructure projects. Working through a tripartite and neutral forum that fosters collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society to trudge along the path of ensuring better value for money on infrastructure projects for all stakeholders.
As we move into a very important and critical stage of achieving our vision of ‘’better lives from better infrastructure’’ by launching our Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025), we are excited by the challenge ahead and optimistic of the transformational impact the plan would have. Positive strives in our young journey would not have been possible without our highly committed Secretariat and the support of our strategic partners, the Africa Regional Managers and International Secretariat as well as the tremendous and selfless effort of the Multi-Stakeholder Group.
Architect Eugene Fredua Ofori-Atta
MSG ChairpersonThe Infrastructure Analytical Dashboard (IAD) is a business intelligence tool that provides a comprehensive overview of disclosed infrastructure data. The tool analyses multiple infrastructure datasets drawn from projects publicized on CoST Sekondi-Takoradi’s Disclosure Portal by 8 local government authorities (procuring entities) currently working with the organization. The IAD generates statistical and interactive infographic use cases that provide insights on value-for-money considerations, tender management, and contract administration; and quantitatively categorizes projects according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Access to easily understandable infrastructure data can greatly benefit individuals, organizations, and governments in making informed decisions and optimizing resource allocation. However, the bulk and complexity of datasets can be overwhelming, especially for users who are not familiar with data analysis or lack technical expertise to analyse complex data. This may lead to misinterpretation; leading to flawed conclusions, or biased decision-making.
Therefore, presenting complex datasets through visualizations enable multiple stakeholders (government, the private sector, civil society, media, and citizens) to interact and efficiently visualize complex information to identify and understand potentially significant trends associated with the delivery of publicly-funded infrastructure projects. Visual representations provide unique insight by aiding decision-makers and other stakeholders to grasp hitherto complex datasets or information items to inform infrastructure reform.
With the added ability to filter data according to multiple variables and interactive visualizations, the IAD enables users to filter data, drill down into details, and explore different aspects of the presented information.
With a broad objective of triggering accountability mechanisms and driving reform by using compelling infographics to ensure data usage, the development of the IAD went through 3 phases.
Here's how different stakeholders can utilize an analytical dashboard for social accountability and reform:
