Accra: Alhaji Amin Abdul-Rahman, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), emphasized that the success of Ghana's National Urban Policy (2026-2035) and the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (2026-2035) will be measured by their effective implementation rather than the quality of the policy documents alone.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Chief Director highlighted during the launch event at the Ninth Session of the Ghana Urban Forum in Accra, that these two frameworks offer a comprehensive roadmap for managing Ghana's rapidly evolving urban landscape. The strategies focus on sustainable growth, land use planning, climate resilience, affordable housing, and the prevention and upgrading of informal settlements. The event was themed 'Resetting Ghana's Urban Future: Thinking Nationally and Taking Local Actions for Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Cities.'
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Sector Minister, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman expressed that the launch signified a renewed national commitment to shaping the future of Ghana's urban areas through coordinated and inclusive actions. He acknowledged that while urbanization in Ghana has spurred economic growth, innovation, and job creation, it has also introduced challenges such as housing shortages, infrastructure gaps, congestion, and environmental degradation.
The Chief Director noted that the maiden National Urban Policy introduced in 2012 played a crucial role in addressing these challenges by guiding urban governance, infrastructure development, and service delivery. However, lessons learned from over a decade of implementation informed the creation of the new frameworks, developed through consultations with government bodies, local authorities, academia, and civil society organizations.
The new National Urban Policy aims to achieve sustainable urban growth, effective land use management, and climate resilience, while the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy focuses on improving living conditions in informal settlements through integrated upgrading and enhanced community participation.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman stressed the importance of collaboration among government entities, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, the private sector, and citizens for successful urban development. He commended the contributions of various institutions, including UN-Habitat, the World Bank, the European Union, UNICEF, and UK-FCDO, in developing the frameworks.
He urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to incorporate the frameworks into their development plans and called on development partners and citizens to support efforts for cleaner and more resilient communities. Furthermore, he assured President John Dramani Mahama and Ghanaians that the Ministry would oversee the implementation and evaluation of the frameworks to guide investments and improve the quality of life.
Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, highlighted the critical role of cities as economic growth engines but acknowledged challenges such as housing deficits and inadequate infrastructure. He announced the Ministry's ongoing review of the National Housing Policy, which will align with the National Urban Policy to address Ghana's housing needs through affordable and climate-responsive solutions.