Decongesting Accra: John Mahama proposes new city as solution

A feasibility study for the construction of a new city outside the country’s current capital, Accra, with the aim of alleviating the growing congestion in the city, could commence soon.

This, according to the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, will be focused on creating a new growth pole and generating thousands of jobs both during the construction phase and after completion.

In a citinewsroom.com report, he stated that it is time to decongest Accra by relocating some government ministries, departments, agencies, and financial institutions to his proposed new city.

In his estimation, this new, future city could span three regions—Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta—and be situated near the Volta Lake.

He is reported to have added that the new city will be a green, digital metropolis featuring tourist and amusement attractions, industrial parks, and financial services.

And tied into his most prominent policy proposition now, Mahama envisions it as a 24-hour city that never sleeps, the report stated.

On the issue of investment towards the construction of the new city, John Mahama is said to have indicated that a chunk of the monies will come from the private sector and through public-private partnerships.

“We will commence a feasibility study with a plan to construct a new city. Accra is grid-locked, and the time has arrived for us to relocate certain parts of the government services from Accra. Accra will remain the capital, but we will transfer a portion of it elsewhere.

“There is already available land on the Accra Plains and the opposite bank of the Volta Lake. Moreover, we are establishing a port terminal in Mpakadan to transport cargo to the northern part of the country.

“There is abundant land in that area, allowing us to relocate some ministries, agencies, and departments out of the city and alleviate congestion,” he said.

The former president also raised concerns about how Accra, as it is currently, could become a difficult place to manage due to the growing congestion.

“Accra has expanded to its limits, and if we are not cautious, managing it as a sustainable city will become difficult. Thus, we will initiate the planning, design, and feasibility process. I anticipate that this project may take around 20 years to complete, but we need to take the first steps. Subsequent generations can then continue where we left off,” he added.

President Mahama made these announcements during an interaction with the European Union Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Meanwhile, in his recent Building Ghana Tour, John Dramanu Mahama assured citizens of decongesting the industrial enclave of the Tema area towards the western corridor for industrialisation and job creation.



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AE