Planner Gifty Nyarko (M) receiving her title
Pln. Gifty Nyarko, a renowned spatial planner and Head of the Physical Planning Department at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly in the Bono Region of Ghana, has been conferred the title of African Ambassador for Inclusive Urban Governance and Climate-Resilient Development.
The honour was bestowed on her by The Business Executive Group at a prestigious ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, for her dedicated and inclusive planning strategies in her line duties after a competitive process that involved public nominations, professional assessments, and international evaluation.
The ceremony was attended by ambassadors and urban development experts from Ethiopia, Kenya, Belarus, and Ghana, notably Engedaye Eshete, Head of the Equal Trade Women Alliance in Ethiopia.
Presenting the award to Planner Gifty Nyarko, Ambassador Pavel Vziatkin of Belarus commended her outstanding contributions to the field of urban and regional planning that inspire sustainable development, deep commitment to engaging local communities in decision-making processes, and inclusive planning strategies that prioritise the needs of marginalised and underserved populations.
Baroness Paulette Kporo, the Chief Executive Officer of The Business Executive Group, described her as a transformative force in African planning whose approach serves as a model for participatory development and reflects the kind of transformative thinking needed to shape resilient and equitable cities.
“Pln. Nyarko emerged from a highly competitive pool of candidates across Africa. She embodies a new generation of planners who combine local knowledge, inclusive engagement, and climate-conscious strategies to reshape our cities,” she said
Planner Gifty Nyarko graciously dedicated the award to everyone who has played a part in her journey, acknowledging the unwavering support and encouragement she has received along the way.
She paid tribute to community members whose lived experiences inspired her work, to colleagues whose collaboration strengthened her efforts, to mentors who offered guidance and wisdom, and to her family whose love and sacrifices have been her foundation.
“This award is not just about me; it belongs to every community member, planner, built environment professional, and advocate who believes in a better, more inclusive Africa,” she said.
Known by many as “The International Planner” and “The Grassroots Planner,” Planner Gifty Nyarko is widely celebrated for her dedication to transparency, accountability, and participatory urban development.
She was pivotal in the Dumasua Green City Project, a project that seeks to develop the community into one of the cleanest and greenest communities free from hunger and poverty as well as several works that directly contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly those focusing on poverty alleviation, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable cities.
