This report is to draw Ghanaians attention to town planning and community development. November 8 is World Town Planning Day, and it is celebrated every year to recognize the role of town planning in community development, the achievements of planners and to recognize communities and neighborhoods who are involved in development activities including social, economic development, and environmental protection.
Between July 4 and 22, 2007, a historic event took place in Ejisu, as Ghana endeavors to decentralize government using the District Assembly structure, and to give local citizens a say in how their communities develop. Kwadwo Owusu Fordjour, a native of Ejisu collaborated with the Faculty of Planning and Land Economy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi to develop Ejisu community visioning project - a summer school project. Kwadwo Owusu Fordjour is an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), and an Environmental Manager at Washington State Department of Transportation, USA. The KNUST team was lead by Professor Sam Afrane, Dean of the Faculty of Planning and Land Economy. Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association provided financial support for the project to promote global planning, and social equity in community development.
It is desirable for patriotic citizens to give back to their communities by sharing their knowledge, experience and resources to make these communities a better place not only for themselves today but for generation to come in the future. The planning profession has the obligation to include issues of social responsibility in professional planning schools, professional associations, and as part of every planner's daily work as a practicing planner.
The vision project intended to unite the people of Ejisu in identifying the common problems and opportunities that may hamper or propel Ejisu into its desired future. The community wanted to understand and explore its future with fresh eyes, and to create new energy to generate a common Vision that guides potential development projects in Ejisu.
The idea of equal citizenship and responsive government is under serious threat in an era of persistent and rising inequality in national development, wealth and social amenities in the developing nations. Metropolitan areas such as Accra and Kumasi have benefited from the large gold mining, cocoa, timber plantation as well as large infusion of both foreign and domestic capital into Ghana, and thus are among the wealthiest cities in Africa. Ejisu, like many small towns, just 12 miles from Kumasi relies on tourism and farming to sustain its economy.
Ejisu citizens value their history, and pride themselves of the bravery of Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa I. The community seeks to capitalize on its unique location, access and many tourist assets for its economic, social and environmental growth and development. Ejisu, the capital of Ejisu-Juabeng District has many great opportunities to develop into a highly attractive and livable community with a vibrant economy. The town has an adequate transportation network including a major highway, railway and an inland port linking it to all parts of Ghana. Ejisu-Juaben District is known for its popular "kente" cloth, and it is a main access to Lake Bosumtwi, one of the world's largest crater lakes.
The Ejisu Visioning Project put more emphasis on field-based research, service learning courses, and greater community involvement. It was also intended to foster community-University partnerships designed to help develop small towns and villages, and place students into direct contact with the problems of the poor communities. It is hoped that the students who graduate from KNUST will be committed public citizens and leaders who take active roles in building stronger livable communities and societies. The project was designed as a pilot project, and other communities are encouraged to use the result as basis to develop their own visions for future comprehensive land use and development plans.
More than fifty community members and leaders including Honorable Akwasi Osei Agyei, MP from Ejisu-Juaben District and now Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the project, and the University students facilitated the process. The students acquired new skills and tools including the role of the planner in community development, meeting facilitation, team chartering, conflict resolution, vision statement development and how to develop community/citizen involvement plans.
Issues affecting the community fundamental characteristics, history and values were highlighted as the foundation of the visioning. Key concepts for the foundation of Ejisu's future vision were defined in the workshops. They included leadership, unity and collaboration; safety and livability; historic and cultural values; economic vitality and employment; and clean and beautiful environments. The vision statement developed by the participants, and endorsed by the leadership reads as:
"The people of Ejisu are unified in working in collaboration with our leadership in chieftaincy and government as a model district capital. By so doing Ejisu will:
* Become a safe place to live at all times with high quality of life for its residents. * Ensure a diversified economy that promotes investment; wealth creation; employment; and local revenue generation. * Develop a comprehensive land use plan for sustainable development that creates a healthy and beautiful environment"
The Ejisu Visioning project gives the people a starting point. It is a way to empower the residents to be involved in the planning of their communities. The project provides small communities to access to professional resources to develop their development plans, a requirement for accessing the District Assembly common fund and other financial resources for development. The Ejisu visioning project was recognized on October 3, 2007 by Washington Chapter of APA for consistency with 2007 conference theme "Planners Without Borders".
Projects that have been completed, initiated or planned since the visioning project include:
1. Rehabilitation of Toilets by Ejisu Development Association based in USA. 2. An Easter Convention fund raising to be held in Ejisu, Ghana in March 2008. 3. Establishment of a Conservation Corps in Ghana. 4. Student Exchange program between USA planning schools and KNUST.
For additional information including the full report, contact Kwadwo Fordjour at 001(206) 542-3051 or e-mail at fordjourk@msn.com
