Accra: Ghana requires an estimated $37 billion each year to address its infrastructure deficit and support sustainable urbanisation, the World Bank has stated. According to Ghana News Agency, the Bank emphasised the necessity for investment in infrastructure, stronger local institutions, and effective implementation of the National Urban Policy as critical measures to manage the country's rapid urban growth.
Ms Madhu Raghunath, Urban Resilience and Land Practice Manager at the World Bank, highlighted these points during the ninth Ghana Urban Forum in Accra, where the Government unveiled the National Urban Policy. She noted that Ghana has become one of the most urbanised nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 57 percent of its population residing in cities and towns, and projected that the urban population is expected to more than double by 2050.
Ms Raghunath stated that Ghana's Infrastructure Plan (2019) estimates a significant $37 billion is needed annually to develop the infrastructure required to support economic growth and enhance quality of life by 2047. She identified major urban challenges requiring urgent attention, such as flooding, inadequate housing, poor waste management, and traffic congestion.
In Accra alone, flood risk to assets is estimated to exceed $20 million a year in average annual losses, ranking among the highest figures in Sub-Saharan Africa. She added that the population living in slums increased from 5.5 million in 2017 to 8.8 million in 2020. Unmanaged solid waste and traffic congestion are polluting the air and contributing to climate change, with most urban households lacking access to waste services, resulting in waste disposal in uncontrolled dumpsites or through open burning.
Ms Raghunath urged for integrated investment in transport, power, waste management, and housing infrastructure to support urban development and job creation. She also called on the Government to strengthen public-private partnerships, municipal financing, and local institutions to improve urban planning and service delivery.
She emphasised that well-planned cities are crucial to Ghana's jobs and productivity agenda, as they reduce the cost of doing business, connect firms to workers and markets, and enable individuals, particularly the youth and informal workers, to access services, mobility, skills, and better livelihood opportunities.
Ms Raghunath praised the National Urban Policy for its ambition to promote inclusive urban development, affordable housing, improved mobility, climate resilience, and stronger citizen participation in local governance. Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, stated that the policy aims to improve living conditions in informal settlements while preventing the emergence of new slums. He encouraged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to incorporate the policy into their development plans and budgets, highlighting that its success would depend on effective implementation.