The 2022 Ghana Urban Forum (2022GUF) slated for Monday, 31^st October to Tuesday, 1^st November 2022 has been organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) in Accra.

The Ghana Urban Forum (GUF),  a multi-stakeholder platform, brought together state and non-state actors who discussed issues affecting urban settlements and offered solutions that support sustainable urban development in the country.

The Ministry, over the years, has leveraged the GUF to solicit stakeholder inputs into relevant policies and strategic documents such as the National Urban Policy Framework and Action Plan (2012), as well as country processes leading to the adoption of the new Urban Agenda in 2016.

This year’s forum was organised on the theme: “Rapid urban growth in Ghana: promoting effective urban planning for liveable and sustainable cities and towns”.

The 2022 GUF looked at discourse on the definition of urban areas, sustainable urban development, and private sector participation in urban service delivery;

It solicited inputs into the update of the National Urban Policy (2012) and collaborated with key institutions on the New Urban Agenda and SDGs.

The forum was preceded by a breakfast meeting for editors and senior journalists to inform them and give them an overview of steps undertaken by the government in the urban space and what was being done to lift the current status of Ghana’s urban areas.

Source: PRO UNIT

A retiree and a former Head of the Department of Parks and Gardens, Mr. G. K. Owusu-Afriyie has donated about 40 books to the Department to boost horticulture and greening in Ghana.

The books were received by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Madam Marian W. A. Kpakpah on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Daniel Botwe.

Mr. Owusu-Afriyie presenting the books said the books were his personal contribution to the enhancement of the Department and to boost the knowledge of the staff on the plants.

He acknowledged that through his association as a Parks and Gardens staff, he has benefitted a lot, adding that, the Department exposed him to many travels, and has benefitted and is still benefitting from plants.

He encouraged Ghanaians to spend time on plants while calling on the Ministry to develop a portal for every plant at the Aburi Botanic Gardens for plant lovers and students in horticulture to access knowledge sharing and an opportunity for children to also learn about plants.

Ms. Kpakpah expressed the Ministry’s gratitude for the gesture describing it as heartwarming and encouraged all to emulate Mr. Owusu-Afriyie’s gesture.

She said knowledge acquired cannot be taken away, thus staff should tap into knowledge for greater heights.

The acting Director for the Department, Rev. Charles Okine pledged that the books would be put to good use.

Source:   PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (MLGDRD)

A report on the implementation of the new Urban Agenda in Ghana has been launched in Accra today as part of the commemoration of World Habitat Day, which is observed every first Monday of October every year.

The report was by the effort of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Ministry of Works and Housing (MWH), and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

This year’s World Habitat Day is being observed under the theme: “Mind the Gap. Leave No One And No Place Behind”. In 1985, the United Nations designated World Habitat Day the first Monday of October every year.

The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

Speaking at the commemorative event, the Minister for MLGDRD Hon. Daniel Botwe in a statement read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister for MLGDRD, Hon. Osei Bonsu-Amoah, stated that urbanization presents some of the most significant opportunities in the world today with cities acting as centres for economic growth and development even though they also face demographic, environmental economic and social challenges.

He stated that according to the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 which seeks to make cities inclusive, safe resilient and sustainable, identifies sustainable urbanization as one of the key priorities for global development.

This he said has made the adoption of the New Urban Agenda by the United Nations in 2016 has seen national and local governments around the world to embark on a transformative path towards making SDG 11 a reality.

The Minister indicated the MLGDRDs resolve to work to collaborate with the relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies to formulate policies and coordinate the implementation of programmmes and projects. It will also finalise and coordinate the implementation of the national Urban Policy objectives to guide the development of cities in Ghana.

In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Asenso Boakye, stressed the need to prioritise and address housing shortages for a large segment of our cities and also to ensure that cities are planned and built in a more sustainable and inclusive manner.

Adding that “the Ministry of housing is fully committed to being a part of the many activities outlined for the urban month of October which ultimately seeks to achieve a sustainable human settlement in ensuring that no one and place is left behind.

Present at the ceremony were representatives from the UN-Habitat and the Director General of the NDPC, Dr. Kwadwo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa who launched the report.

Source: PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (MLGDRD)