Accra: Before annual floods became a recurring problem in many parts of the country, Ghana was once highly regarded for its town planning, earning praise from renowned international planners and experts for its long-term urban development vision. This was evident in March 1963 when a consulting town planner from Munich, Germany, Professor Hoegg, visited Ghana and expressed admiration for the country's urban planning, describing the development of some towns and cities as comparable to the best planning standards in the world.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Hoegg was particularly impressed by Ghana's educational infrastructure. In a report in the Ghanaian Times, he described the Kwame Nkrumah University in Kumasi and the University of Ghana, Legon, as institutions of the highest standard, stating that their design and facilities matched and, in his view, exceeded those of universities in Europe.
Professor Hoegg, who played a significant role in reconstructing Munich after the Second World War and worked on city and regional planning in Istanbul and Monrovia, highlighted Ghana's advancements in constructing good roads. He was taken around by Mr. P. N. K Turkson, Chief Town Planning Officer, to see new buildings in Accra, Tema Harbour, and townships in Kumasi.
Professor Hoegg praised the foresight shown in Ghana's long-term planning efforts. However, as annual floods now pose significant challenges, it underscores a need for structural reform in urban planning to address the current developmental failures and mitigate future flooding risks.