The Phase I implementation of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project- A World Bank funding project, has commenced in the Nandom Municipality. The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, has designed the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project to be implemented in forty-eight (48) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across six (6) regions in the northern part of Ghana that is, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savanah, North East, and Oti Regions. The Project is a multi-country project being initiated to improve regional collaborations as well as the economic and climate resilience of border communities in the target northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea countries exposed to conflict and climate risks. On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the MCE, Hon. Raymond Nero, along with Heads of Unit and Department of the Municipal Assembly, a representative from the SOCO secretariat, focal persons, contract awardees, and other dignitaries visited six communities within the Municipality. The purpose of the visit was to hand over the project sites to the contractors for the commencement of work. The project has a span of five years and includes the following: 1. Construction and Furnishing (10 hexagonal Tables, 60No. Chairs, 4No. Teachers Tables and 4No. Teachers Chairs) of 1No 2-Unit KG block with 5-Seater WC, Shower connected to a borehole with 1.5HP pump, Survey and Courtyard. 2. Construction of 1No.12-Seater WC Toilet with 2No. 2000 Liters overhead Polytank. 3. Renovation of 1No. 6-Unit Classroom, Office, Store and Common Room at Tom Primary School (Reroofing, Maintenance of cracks in walls, rescreeding of entire floor of the structure, replacement of doors and windows, maintenance on aprons and varenda and general painting of the entire structure). 4. Construction and Furnishing (6No. Bookshelves, 60No.Student Chairs, 10No. 6 in 1 Long Tables, 4No.Tables and 4No.chairs, 4-seater KVIP, 2-unit Urinal, 2-unit changing room) of 1No. 50 Capacity Library at Nursing and Midwifery College. 5. Construction of 1No. 10-Unit Market Stalls and 1No. 5-Unit Lockable Stores. 6. Construction and furnishing (2No. Weaving Machine, 2No Male and Female each Sewing Machines, 2No. Sheabutter Extraction Machine, 2No. Soap Making Machine, 2No. Leather Shoe/Slippers Machine and 4No. Hair dryers) of 1No.Skills Training Center for the People with Disability. 7. Construction of 1No. Basketball Court. 8. Construction of 1No. Lawn Tennis Court. 9. Rehabilitation of 65-Unit Market Stores at the Nandom Market, Siting, Drilling and Construction of 10No. Boreholes fitted with hand pump, Concrete pads, aprons and siting, drilling and mechanization of 1No. Borehole with 5000 liters overhead tank. 10. Construction of 630 Linear Meter, 150mm PVC Pipes Irrigation Channels, 6No. Chamber with 150mm Control Valve and 840 Linear Meter Wire Mesh Fencing with Entrance and Outlet Gate for Dry Season Gardening. 11. The Supply and delivery of hospital equipment’s (43 No. Digital Bp apparatus, 43 No. One Touch Select Glucometer, 10No. Adjustable Metal Delivery bed, 10 No. Secca weighing scale, 4No. 125cc Hours Power Motorbikes, 1No. Wash and steam 100 liters bowl Electric Washing machine and 10 No. Core i5 Laptops). 12. Siting, Drilling and Construction of 6No. Boreholes fitted with hand pump, Concrete pads, aprons and siting, drilling and mechanization of 1No. Borehole with 5000 liters overhead tank. In his address to the Chiefs and People in the visited communities, Hon. MCE emphasized the community-driven approach of the government towards this project. The government aims to give voice to the vulnerable groups such as youth, women, and people with disabilities, and to prioritize regional lens on local investments for maximum impact. The MCE also highlighted the security challenges faced by the region due to youth unemployment, intercommunity tensions, and structural fragilities. He emphasized the need for regionally coordinated solutions that effectively respond to local needs. The MCE urged the Chiefs and People to actively participate in the implementation of the project as it directly benefits them.