President John Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, has announced an ambitious plan to tackle the growing congestion in Accra by initiating the development of a new city.
This new urban center aims to act as a growth pole, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs during its construction and post-completion phases.
While Accra will remain the capital, Mahama emphasized the necessity to decongest the city by relocating certain government ministries, departments, agencies, and financial institutions to the new city.
He envisions the future city spanning the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta Regions, situated near the Volta Lake, ensuring an abundant water supply.
The proposed city aims to be a green and digital hub, featuring tourist attractions, amusement parks, industrial zones, and financial services, operating as a vibrant 24-hour city.
Mahama highlighted that much of the investment for this project would come from the private sector and through public-private partnerships.
Speaking at the European Union Chamber of Commerce, Mahama stated, “We will commence a feasibility study with a plan to construct a new city. Accra is grid-locked, and the time has arrived for us to relocate certain parts of the government services from Accra. There is already available land on the Accra Plains and the opposite bank of the Volta Lake. Moreover, we are establishing a port terminal in Mpakadan to transport cargo to the northern part of the country. This area provides ample land for relocating ministries, agencies, and departments, alleviating congestion.”
Mahama noted the urgency of this initiative due to Accra’s rapid expansion, which, if unmanaged, could hinder its sustainability.
He estimated that the project’s completion might span around 20 years but stressed the importance of taking the initial steps to ensure future generations can build upon this foundation.
The former President said, “Accra has expanded to its limits, and if we are not cautious, managing it as a sustainable city will become difficult. Thus, we will initiate the planning, design, and feasibility process. I anticipate that this project may take around 20 years to complete, but we need to take the first steps. Subsequent generations can then continue where we left off.”
Additionally, Mahama, while on his Building Ghana Tour, assured citizens of plans to decongest the industrial enclave of the Tema area, focusing on the western corridor for industrialization and job creation.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
