Slum-Upgrading Facility launched at Ashaiman

Ashaiman, Oct. 01, GNA - Ghana on Monday joined the United Nations (UN) to celebrate the World Habitat Day with the launch of the Slum-Upgrading Facility (SUF) Pilot Project at Tulaku a suburb of Ashaiman in the Tema Municipality.

The project, which started in 2004, would provide housing components for slum dwellers in the municipality. It is aimed at eradicating and preventing slums in the municipality and would allow for equitable distribution of service and facilities to all segments of society.

Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, said in an address read on his behalf that the UN used the World Habitat Day celebration to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. Touching on this year's theme "A Safe City is a Just City", Mr Adjei-Darko said it was significant as it drew global attention to world leaders' declaration to launch a concerted attack on the challenges posed to cities.

"Specifically, the theme was chosen in order to raise awareness and encourage all of us to reflect on the mounting threats to urban safety and social justice among others." Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Minister of Water Resource Works and Housing, said Ghana's urban population had been estimated at 48 percent of the population.

Alhaji Boniface said more than half of Ghanaians would be living in towns and cities by the year 2020 if the current rate of migration continued.

"Migration to the cities is unavoidable because it has become a magnet of hope to many" he said.

Giving an update of the resettlement of residents of Old Fadama (Sodom and Gomorrah), Alhaji Boniface said government had secured funds to relocate them to Agyin Kotoku in the Ga West District. Mr David Quaye Annang, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, said combating crime and insecurity were issues of good urban government. He said good governance and safe cities were requirements for economic and social development.

Nii Adjei Kraku 11, Tema Mantse who chaired the function, said Ashaiman was the most appropriate venue for the celebration as according to him the town has a number of slums.

He appealed to stakeholders to help provide the necessary infrastructure for the residents of Ashaiman.