Takoradi holds Regional Validation workshop

Takoradi, Aug 6, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on Thursday organized a one-day Regional Validation Workshop on the draft National Urban Policy at Takoradi.

Representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and identifiable groups as well as traditional rulers attended the workshop.

Addressing the workshop Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, said housing deficit, traffic congestion, widespread poverty and limited opportunities were major setbacks that confronted people in developing countries including Ghana.

She said these development problems called for an efficient policy framework on a "Workable and acceptable national urban policy to make the situation pleasant".

She said urbanization without planning led to evolution of slums with its attendant unhygienic settlements, den of hardened criminals, prostitution and other abominable acts frowned upon by society.

Madam Busumtwi-Sam said appropriate development plans should be implemented to provide facilities that would contain fast growing settlements.

"Pressure on electricity, water, housing and even roads has come about as a result of the rapid drifting of people in deprived areas to come to the city to seek greener pastures", She said.

Madam Busumtwi-Sam said urban planning should be in tandem with rural development so that people in rural and under-served areas would be motivated to stay there and not to drift to urban areas.

Professor Paul Yankson, Professor of Geography at the University of Ghana, Legon, said the objective of the policy was to ensure sustainable development of the country and urban centres.

He said the country had become predominantly urbanized and the policy is important framework the guide the country's urbanization.