Ghana took the global spotlight at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, where Honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ghana’s Minister for Works and Housing, delivered an address on November 5, 2024. In his statement, he highlighted Ghana's progressive approach to urban development, anchored by a series of innovative initiatives that underscore local action in the country’s development agenda.
Honourable Nkrumah pointed to the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme as a flagship initiative within this framework. Funded by UN-Habitat, the program seeks to bolster the implementation of Agenda 2030 by focusing on data collection and analysis, while offering incentives for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) certification at the local level. “This program ensures that our urban centers are not just places of economic activity but hubs of sustainable growth,” Nkrumah stated, underscoring the program’s vision for resilient, data-driven urban planning.
The minister further cited several other ongoing projects that align with Ghana’s urban development goals. Notable among these are the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, the European Union Sustainable Cities Project, the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP), and the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project. Each of these projects, he noted, plays a critical role in transforming Ghana’s urban landscapes into sustainable, resilient, and economically inclusive environments.
In a major announcement, Nkrumah revealed the recent launch of a Districts Housing Program, an ambitious initiative aimed at investing in green housing and accompanying infrastructure in Ghana's rural districts. The program seeks to curb the ongoing trend of rural-to-urban migration by improving living conditions and economic opportunities in rural areas. “This initiative is designed to meet the housing needs of our districts while supporting the national agenda for green development,” he added, emphasizing the program’s potential to alleviate urban pressures by nurturing sustainable communities across the country.
In a related event on November 6, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Ghana’s Head of Civil Service, inaugurated Ghana’s side event with the theme: Pursuing the Urban Agenda: The Successes and Challenges. Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh outlined Ghana’s strategic efforts to create inclusive, sustainable cities while tackling the multifaceted challenges brought about by rapid urbanization. He acknowledged that Ghana’s urban agenda is a collaborative journey that requires robust partnerships, local governance enhancement, and innovative solutions to ensure inclusive growth.
“Ghana recognizes that achieving our vision for urban areas is a shared responsibility,” Aggrey-Darkoh remarked, emphasizing the need to address systemic inequalities, enhance infrastructure, and build resilient institutions. He highlighted that Ghana’s urban future depends on collective actions that strengthen communities, drive economic growth, and ensure that no one is left behind.
SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)