The Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ministry of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation, and Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development, is celebrating the 2020 World Habitat Day in Accra today, October 5, 2020.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Housing for All: A Better Urban Future.”
The World Habitat Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday of October every year, was instituted by the United Nations (UN) in 1985 to reflect on the state of cities and towns and the basic rights of all to adequate housing.
The event focuses on the state of human settlements and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
Ghana gathered over 200 experts on Urbanization in preparation for the 10th Session of the World Urban Forum in February 2020.
It was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with UN habitat, Cities Alliance, Coalition for Urban Transitions, and other stakeholders.
The 2-day event which took place on 14-15 January 2020 gathered over 200 participants from international organizations, civil societies, government agencies, media, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and the National Development Planning Commission. It was under the theme, ‘Unlocking the systems of planning, connecting, and financing for Secondary and Intermediate Cities to propel growth towards the ‘Ghana beyond Aid’ Agenda.
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Hon. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, and the UN Resident Coordinator to Ghana, Ms. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra formerly opened the Forum.
They all stressed the importance of sustainable urbanization to addressing many development challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
