Government to set up Urban Management Project to develop four cities

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, in collaboration with other development partners, is to set up an urban management pilot project to develop four major cities in the country.

The Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP) being undertaken in collaboration with the Agence Francoise de Development (AFD), is aimed at urban planning and investment into infrastructural facilities in Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale and Ho on pilot basis, and would be implemented in other towns and cities in the country. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), announced this in Accra on Monday, at a durbar to mark World Habitat Day celebration.

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and the basic rights of mankind to adequate shelter. This year's global celebration under the theme "Planning Our Urban Future," was celebrated in Ghana under the theme "Prevention of Slums and Slum Upgrading."

Mr Yieleh Chireh said a major problem of urban planning in the country was the lack of collaboration among stakeholders in the urban sector for joint implementation of projects. He said to solve the problem stakeholders were currently preparing an Urban Policy with the support of GTZ, a German development agency, and other development partners. "This policy will guide urban planning and development in the country and promote effective collaboration in the urban sector," he said.

Mr Yieleh Chireh called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to use their mandate as planning authorities, to provide social and economic infrastructure to communities and collaborate with traditional authorities and land owners to ensure the effective organisation of economic and social activities. "I wish to remind MMDAs not to plan in isolation of each other but come together to form joint planning boards as required by law to plan for our cities," he said.

Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive expressed concern about the fact that though Ghana had recorded continuous economic growth since 1984, there was no "positive physical change" to correspond to the growth, stressing that it was high time the government took a critical look at the master plan "to secure a better future for the city."

He said the metropolis had developed into a physical manifestation of poor planning policies and sometimes the irresponsible behaviour of building inspectors and city planning officers to allow illegal structures to exist.

Dr Vanderpuije said government would soon implement a scheme under the urban renewal policy, to transform and project the inner city through the design and implementation of a comprehensive master plan which would provide the core philosophy that should direct all physical developments in the country.

"It will incorporate mass transport systems which act as catalysts for advancing and tackling inner city social challenges such as slum communities in Nima, Korle Gonno, Adabraka, James Town, Kotobabi and Adedenkpo," he said.

He noted with concern that some areas in Accra, which served as the historical and cultural repository of the nation, were experiencing decay but gave the assurance that plans were advance to upgrade and preserve traditional architecture in selected areas in the country. Ms Akua Sena Dansoa, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, in a speech read on her behalf observed that unemployment, lack of productive assets such as land and housing, lack of education, health care, information, potable water supply and poor sanitation, were some factors that worked together to make women migrate to urban centres in search of better living conditions.

"Another reason that accounts for the high rate of female migration of late is gender based violence and the discrimination women face in their communities," she said. Ms Sena Dansoa appealed to urban planners and technocrats to consider the different needs of women and children when they are planning and preparing to implement policies.