Pln. Gifty Nyarko, Head of the Physical Planning Department at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly, has been named the “Most Outstanding in Urban and Regional Planning” at the 2025 Ghana Outstanding Community Leadership Awards held in Accra.
The prestigious award was presented during a stirring ceremony at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, hosted by The Business Executive Group.
The event brought together high-profile dignitaries, including government officials, diplomats, professionals, and traditional leaders.
Notable personalities in attendance included Dr. Dominic Oduro, President of the Ghana-India Trade Advisory Committee; Nana Ayebiafo Jnana, Nkosuaohene of Dumasua; Ambassador Asaye Alemayenu of Ethiopia; and H.E. Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Ghana, who personally presented the award to Pln. Nyarko.
According to organizers, the awards recognize individuals who demonstrate visionary leadership, ethical integrity, and tangible contributions to community development.
CEO of The Business Executive Group, Madam Baroness Paulette Kporo, emphasized the significance of celebrating public servants and professionals who exemplify competence and innovation.
What made Pln. Nyarko’s recognition especially significant was that her nomination came not from an institution, but from members of the public, citizens whose lives had been positively impacted by her planning work.
This endorsement served as a compelling testament to her far-reaching influence and the trust she has earned at the grassroots level.
With over 12 years of experience, Pln. Nyarko is also the National Interim President of the Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners.
Her work spans both regional and municipal levels, with impactful leadership in spatial planning, land governance, and sustainable development.
One of her most notable undertakings was the Fiapre Demolition Exercise, which involved the removal of over 100 unauthorized structures obstructing access routes and waterways.
Despite fierce resistance and personal sacrifice—including an assault that led to the loss of her unborn child—she completed the operation.
The result was a significant reduction in fire outbreaks and improved accessibility in the area. In recognition, a major street was named Gifty Bubuadan Avenue by traditional leaders (Nananom).
Beyond enforcement, Pln. Nyarko is lauded for her reform-driven and inclusive planning methods. She pioneered a color-coded spatial system to integrate informal vendors without displacing them—an approach now considered a national model.
Her leadership has also strengthened Sunyani West’s regulatory compliance in planning and development permitting, ensuring regular Spatial Planning Committee (SPC) meetings and institutional transparency.
Her intervention in resolving land encroachment along the Outer Ring Road has been cited as a key example of her readiness to protect public infrastructure at all costs.
Pln. Nyarko also serves as a technical advisor to the Dumasua Greenery and Urban Renewal Initiatives under the seven-year development plan of Nana Ayebiafo Jnana, further cementing her role in strategic traditional leadership collaborations.
Across Ghana, she is considered a benchmark for ethical planning, gender equity, and professional excellence.
Nananom described her as “Gifty International”—a transformational figure deserving of national recognition.
In a deeply personal dimension, Pln. Nyarko is a widow and mother of two—Emily Yaa Akyaa Karikari and Gavin Kwaku Karikari—who often accompany her to community outreach events.
This practice has humanized urban planning for many, turning policies into real-life stories that touch families and communities.
Her work has helped demystify planning, making it more relatable and impactful for everyday citizens.
In her acceptance speech, she emphasized that:
“It’s not just about the plan—it’s about building spaces where people can live with dignity, and where the plans reflect the needs of the people.”
She dedicated her award to the people of the Bono Region and the Sunyani West Municipality, expressing gratitude to the Regional Minister, Member of Parliament, Hon. Millicent, and institutions such as GIP, LUSPA, and LoGSAPP.
She also acknowledged her academic mentors and the Caravan of Prayer Outreach Ministry for their spiritual support.
As Ghana navigates rapid urbanization, Pln. Gifty Nyarko’s story stands as a beacon of principled leadership, technical excellence, and community-centered planning.
Her legacy is in motion—not only shaping spaces but shaping the future of inclusive, sustainable cities.