The Town of Collingwood, Ontario, welcomed a group of municipal leaders from Ghana from February 20 to February 25, 2026, to share ideas on improving local community services. The six-day visit focused on helping more women take on leadership roles and ensuring that local government programs are easy for everyone to use.
This exchange was part of the Partnership for Municipal Innovation-Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) initiative. The program is managed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and is funded by the federal government through Global Affairs Canada.
During their stay, the delegates attended workshops with town staff and council members to discuss climate change, emergency planning, and ways to better connect with the community. They also spent time at My Friend’s House, a local non-profit that offers shelter and support to women and children facing domestic abuse.
While the visit does not change daily services for residents right now, the town expects the partnership to bring long-term benefits through shared ideas and cultural links. Collingwood has been involved in this international collaboration since 2022, sharing expertise to help Ghanaian municipalities improve how they handle public feedback and provide services to their residents.
