Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Ghana took the global spotlight at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, where Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, delivered an address.
In his statement, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah highlighted Ghana’s progressive approach to urban development, anchored on a series of initiatives that underscore local action in the country’s development agenda.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah pointed to the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme as a flagship initiative within this framework.
Funded by UN-Habitat, the programme 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 programme ensures that our urban centres are not just places of economic activity but hubs of sustainable growth,” Oppong Nkrumah stated, underscoring the programme’s vision for resilient, data-driven urban planning.
The minister further cited several other ongoing projects that align with the country’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 Programme (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, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah revealed the recent launch of a Districts Housing Programme, an ambitious initiative aimed at investing in green housing, and accompanying infrastructure in Ghana’s rural districts.
The programme 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, emphasising the programme’s potential to alleviate urban pressures by nurturing sustainable communities across the country.
In a related event on November 6, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of Civil Service, Ghana, inaugurated Ghana’s side event on 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 urbanisation.
He acknowledged that the country’s urban agenda is a collaborative journey that requires robust partnerships, local governance enhancement, and innovative solutions to ensure inclusive growth.
“Ghana recognises that achieving our vision for urban areas is a shared responsibility,” Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh remarked, emphasising 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.
A Daily Guide Report