Les Ateliers de Cergy is starting a collective and creative work in Northern Ghana, in collaboration with international partners and local stakeholders. The aim is to bring together diverse actors from the region and to share ideas for addressing the urban challenges facing Tamale.

Ghana, a West African country with diverse ecological zones, faces contrasting development dynamics between its coastal south and the savannah north. As the capital of the Northern Region, Tamale plays a strategic role in regional governance and trade within this historically less urbanized area.

Tamale is undergoing rapid expansion, marked by fragmented urban growth and the proliferation of informal settlements at its periphery. This places increasing strain on access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.

The city’s infrastructure—particularly roads, drainage systems, and waste management—is under pressure from both population growth and climate variability. Seasonal flooding, exacerbated by inadequate stormwater infrastructure and poor waste disposal practices, poses recurring risks to public health and mobility. In addition, Tamale’s reliance on groundwater and surface water sources is becoming increasingly fragile, as urbanization encroaches on recharge zones and pollution threatens water quality.

Les Ateliers is initiating a process to develop a shared diagnosis with local actors, strengthen local governance by integrating civil society, and lead to an on-site workshop that will produce illustrated strategies and concrete proposals for the city's development.

Les Ateliers is inviting experts who are interested in contributing to a collective reflection on Tamale and Northern Ghana.

The expert role is a collaborative and multidisciplinary experience. Experts will bring their knowledge and skills to the early stages of workshop preparation, working closely with the Les Ateliers team, its partners, and invited local stakeholders, specialists, and members of the network.

The expert will join the team during the exploratory phase, from mid-October 2025 to January 2026. They may be invited to participate in a field mission scheduled for the second week of November 2025. Following this exploratory phase, the expert may take part in the scientific preparation and facilitation of the workshop as a pilot in 2026.

If you are interested, please send a short email to ghana@ateliers.org with your CV attached - as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, 14 October, so we can begin the conversation.