National Urban Policy Framework and Action Plan launched in Accra

The Government of Ghana on Thursday launched the National Urban Policy (NUP) Framework and Action Plan to facilitate and promote the sustainable development of Ghanaian cities and towns.

The policy document represents a bold attempt to comprehensively intervene in the urban sector to promote socio-economic development of Ghanaian urban centers which is all inclusive and takes account of the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The launch was facilitated through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLRD) in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ)

Mr Julius Debrah, Greater Regional Minister described the launch as timely and important to help the country plan its urban centers against future population growth.

He said Government would make sure the plan is well implemented to the latter and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the plan processes were followed and monitored during implementation.

Mr Thomas Verma, acting German Ambassador to Ghana said it was anticipated that 70 per cent of Ghanaians would be migrated to live in the urban centers in some few years to come and that the German Government would continue to be an inclusive partner of development.

The French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frederic Cleavier said the policy document was well directed and aim at addressing the challenges of urban development and assured Ghana of the French Government support to develop the country.

Mr Yusupha B. Crookes, World Bank Country Director said the launch of the document demonstrates Ghana�s commitment to urban development.

He said Accra alone constitutes 25 per cent of the country�s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding, �The WB in no time would release an amount of 150 million US Dollars to the AMA to help solve the sanitation problem the Metropolis was facing.�

Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Committee (NDPC) said it will put in place a measurable platform to monitor the implementation success of the NUP Plan.

Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said to respond well and fully to the compounding urban challenges as well as better harnessing the benefits of urbanization, the responsive efforts by stakeholders should flow from a clearly defined policy direction.

He said it was instructive to note that with the advent of the late President John Evans Atta Mills Government in relation to its �Better Ghana Agenda� under the auspices of the Ghana Shared Growth Agenda (GSGA), a policy formulation process was initiated in 2009 and adopted.

Mr Oppong-Fosu said activities that were undertaken includes the current situation and framework conditions for urban development and management in the country were assessed through a review of existing studies and other available empirical data.

�It also includes series of consultations through zonal forums and cross-country field interviews were held with stakeholder, MDAs, RCCs, MMDAs, traditional authorities , selected professionals, civil society groups, the private sector and the general citizenry.�

Source: GNA