Ghana's largely unplanned urban expansion is driving up infrastructure costs and threatening food security. Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi, a planning researcher at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), highlighted these critical issues. He urged Ghana to adopt compact urban development and strengthen land-use planning immediately.
The country's current pattern of horizontal expansion puts immense pressure on land and environmental resources. This uncontrolled growth increases the cost of providing essential services like roads, electricity, and water. Dr. Takyi's observations align with World Bank findings advocating for more sustainable urban development in Ghana.
This urban development has largely occurred without a coherent national plan. It has led to the conversion of agricultural lands and wetlands into residential areas. This trend reduces the availability of farmland near cities, forcing food transportation from distant rural areas. Such distances can potentially increase food costs for urban residents.
Dr. Takyi expressed concern about Ghana's future, noting significant resource investment without a clear national plan. He explained that compact development uses available land more efficiently through methods like infill development and high-rise housing. This approach reduces the distance infrastructure must cover, lowering overall urban development costs.
Ghana's persistent flooding problems are also closely linked to weak enforcement of land-use regulations. Developing wetlands and other protected areas exacerbates flood risks. Dr. Takyi emphasized that effective spatial planning requires strict enforcement to protect designated areas for schools, parks, industry, agriculture, and wetlands from encroachment.
Residential development has become dominant in many emerging communities, often at the expense of public spaces. While compact development might raise city centre prices, Dr. Takyi argued that proper policy implementation can mitigate this. He called for a clear national housing strategy where the government actively provides or facilitates affordable housing.
Leaving housing development entirely to the private sector risks profit-oriented projects that neglect low-cost housing needs. The government could designate areas for affordable housing and promote compact forms, including low-cost high-rise options. This would ensure housing remains accessible for all income levels.
Ghana's customary land governance system presents a significant challenge to compact urban development. While acknowledging its role, Dr. Takyi stressed that land-use decisions must conform to approved spatial plans. The ability of customary land authorities to dispose of land without considering broader planning objectives undermines efforts to protect vital spaces.
Achieving a compact-growth agenda requires cooperation from customary landowners and stronger enforcement by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Promoting secondary cities like Tamale and Sunyani does not conflict with compact development. The key is to plan these cities around compact-growth models from the outset. This prevents them from repeating the sprawling development patterns seen in Accra and Kumasi, which face significant environmental and infrastructure challenges.