ACCRA, Ghana, 5th October: The government is developing an Inner City Big Push Initiative aimed at transforming urban neighbourhoods across Ghana through improved roads, drainage, street lighting, walkways and green spaces.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, disclosed this at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency.
According to him, President John Mahama has directed the Ministry to develop a strategy for providing adequate inner-city infrastructure, including roads and drains, in neighbourhoods across the country.
Hon. Ayariga said the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Minister for Roads, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
He explained that the programme would largely be funded through a reconfigured property rate regime and betterment charges, with additional government support.
The Minister said the objective is to ensure that every neighbourhood in Ghana’s cities has paved streets, walkways, adequate drainage, street lighting and sufficient greenery.
He added that the initiative is also expected to enhance property values once the infrastructure improvements were completed.
“The full details of the initiative will be announced by His Excellency President Mahama in due course,” Hon. Ayariga said.
As part of efforts to improve urban infrastructure, he disclosed that the government had also begun assigning streets in major capital cities to private companies.
Under the arrangement, banks, manufacturing companies, construction firms, logistics companies and insurance companies, among others, would assume responsibility for the reconstruction, redevelopment and maintenance of selected streets.
Hon. Ayariga said participating companies could receive naming and advertising rights along the streets they support.
He said the first report on the initiative is expected from the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority and the National Urban Roads Director, after which details of private-sector participation would be submitted for presidential approval.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭