Government has reiterated its commitment to the advancement of sustainable urban development.
Minister for Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, who gave this assurance at the Ghana Urban Forum on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Accra said government is bent on fostering resilient urban areas and stands poised to navigate the complexities of urbanization to build thriving communities for generations to come.
“Urbanization presents a lot of opportunities that have the potential to change the face of our development,” Minister Korsah remarked, highlighting the transformative power inherent in sustainable urban growth. From tackling issues like congestion and environmental degradation to enhancing infrastructure and service delivery, the government’s commitment to urban development remains steadfast, he said.
The forum, themed “Nurturing Roots, Growing Futures,” brought together government officials, civil society organizations, businesses, and international partners. Knowledge sharing and innovative solutions were at the heart of the event, with discussions focusing on urban issues like traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and inadequate infrastructure.
Minister Korsah outlined the government’s comprehensive approach to sustainable urban development. He detailed flagship programmes and projects initiated by the Ministry, including the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Programme, the Local Government Capacity Support Programme, and the Sustainable Cities Project – Phase 1.
These initiatives, coupled with strategic partnerships and inter-sectoral collaboration the Minister said aim to address multifaceted challenges and create resilient urban ecosystems.
“Our determination is reflected in the mandatory and periodic global and national reports, which show the significant progress being made in our urban spaces,” Minister Korsah affirmed, citing tangible evidence of Ghana’s strides towards achieving sustainable urbanization.
However, he acknowledged the persistent threats posed by emerging challenges such as pandemics, extremism, and climate change, underscoring the need for adaptive and forward-thinking approaches.
In alignment with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda, Ghana remains committed to fostering inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities, the Minister said emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement, citizen participation, and decentralized governance in driving meaningful urban transformation.
“As a Ministry responsible for coordinating the implementation of urban development policies, we wish to entreat stakeholders to take ownership of policies focused on urban development to effect the needed change and transform our urban areas,” Minister Korsah urged, emphasizing the imperative of collective action and shared responsibility.
The forum concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among participants, determined to work towards effective urban planning and development.
