Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Works & Housing
Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Works and Housing, has presented a detailed overview of Ghana’s urban development agenda, underlining the nation’s forward-thinking approach to sustainable urbanization.
At the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday, the Minister highlighted a suite of initiatives designed to integrate local actions into Ghana’s broader development goals.
Among the initiatives spotlighted, Mr. Nkrumah emphasised the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme, funded by UN-Habitat. This initiative stands out for its focus on leveraging data collection and analysis to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme incentivizes localities to pursue SDG certification, thereby encouraging data-driven urban planning and sustainable growth. “This programme ensures that our urban centres are not just places of economic activity but hubs of sustainable growth,” he remarked.
Flagship projects
The Minister also pointed to several other flagship projects aligned with Ghana’s urban vision. Among these are the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, the European Union Sustainable Cities Project, the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP), and the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project.
Each of these initiatives, he noted, plays a significant role in reshaping Ghana’s urban landscapes, turning cities into sustainable, economically inclusive, and resilient spaces. In his view, these efforts collectively underscore Ghana’s holistic approach to urbanization, with a clear emphasis on environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and social inclusivity.
In addition to these projects, Mr. Nkrumah unveiled a new Districts Housing Programme, a government-led effort aimed at promoting green housing and infrastructure development in Ghana’s rural districts. He explained that the programme was strategically designed to counter the prevailing trend of rural-to-urban migration by improving living standards and economic prospects within rural communities.
“This initiative is designed to meet the housing needs of our districts while supporting the national agenda for green development,” he explained, highlighting the programme’s potential to reduce pressure on urban centres by fostering vibrant, sustainable communities in rural Ghana.
The minister’s remarks come at a time when Ghana is grappling with the challenges of rapid urbanization, which has amplified the need for sustainable solutions to urban development. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said the government’s approach aims to ensure that urban centres were adequately prepared to support growing populations while remaining environmentally conscious and economically viable.
Side event
In a complementary event, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Ghana’s Head of Civil Service, inaugurated Ghana’s side event at WUF12 under the theme “Pursuing the Urban Agenda: The Successes and Challenges.” Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh detailed Ghana’s strategic efforts to create inclusive cities that cater to all citizens, underscoring the complexity of managing rapid urbanization in a developing context. He emphasized that Ghana’s urban development journey is a collaborative effort, driven by partnerships, robust governance, and the need for innovative solutions to urban challenges.
“Ghana recognizes that achieving our vision for urban areas is a shared responsibility,” Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh stated, stressing the importance of addressing systemic inequalities, enhancing infrastructure, and building resilient institutions. He added that Ghana’s urban future relies on collective actions that strengthen communities, drive economic growth, and ensure inclusivity.
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