CoST Sekondi-Takoradi makes history with Triple Award win in UK
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi has become the first subnational programme under the Construction Sector Transparency (CoST) Initiative to win three awards at the CoST Managers Workshop and Awards. It won the Participation Category, secured second place in Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) publication and received the Outstanding Award named in memory of Alfredo Cantero, a former CoST Board member.
This year’s ceremony was held from February 25 to 27 in London.
Receiving the awards, the CoST Ghana Manager, Isaac Aidoo, said the achievement served as a catalyst to pursue a national CoST programme membership for Ghana.
The CoST International Secretariat introduced the awards in 2022 to celebrate outstanding contributions to infrastructure transparency and governance.
This year’s awards recognised organisations that excelled in publishing infrastructure data, fostering stakeholder engagement, and institutionalising transparency.
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi won the Participation Category for advancing collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector. The Outstanding Award, the most prestigious honour, recognised the programme’s overall impact.
Transparency
CoST, a UK-registered charity operating in 20 countries, promotes accountability in the infrastructure sector. Initially launched as a pilot under the former UK Department for International Development, the initiative evolved into a global transparency movement.
The annual workshop brought together representatives from all CoST member countries and the International Secretariat. Participants exchanged knowledge and strategies to enhance public infrastructure governance.
Recognition
CoST Sekondi-Takoradi joined in 2018 and officially became a member on March 13, 2019, during Open Government Week.
Mr Aidoo acknowledged the efforts of the Sekondi-Takoradi Multi-Stakeholder Group in achieving this milestone.
“I dedicate this award to Prof. George Ofori, Olive Kabakwariwe, Gilbert Sengudwa, and the MSG members for their constant support and advice,” he said.
He added that the recognition reinforced Ghana’s commitment to improving public infrastructure governance.
“The success of CoST Sekondi-Takoradi set the stage for a national CoST membership in Ghana.
The awards underscore the programme’s role in driving infrastructure governance reforms, with broader implications for transparency and accountability in public investments,” Mr Aidoo added.
