Accra 8 June 2015—UN-Habitat and its partners recently held a forum to discuss the National Planned City Extension of the Grater Accra Region. The meeting held at the Central University College in Prampram brought together key political figures including Mr. E.T. Mensah, Special Advisor to the President of Ghana, Mr. S.A. Rhack Nartey, District Chief Executive of Ningo-Prampram District Assembly and Nat Nunoo Amaterfio, former Mayor of Accra, among others. Right now, the Greater Accra Region is experiencing a rapid and unplanned urbanization process due to pressing influx of population and land speculation. Projections show that Accra will rapidly grow from approximately 2.5 million inhabitants to 4.2 million in the next ten years, and a large share of this growth is expected to be accommodated in the Ningo-Prampram District. Ningo-Prampram District, located at a short commuting distance east from Accra, represents an unmatched opportunity to respond to unplanned urban sprawl of the capital and the whole region. Availability of land and international connectivity along the trans-national corridor from Abidjan to Yaoundé , the international airport and the access to the coastline make Ningo-Prampram a superb location for a planned city extension to provide adequate access to land, housing, economic activities and services for the growing population. The National Government of Ghana and the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly with the support of UN-Habitat are developing this initiative within the framework of the National Urban Policy, the National Spatial Development Framework and the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) as an all embracing practical urban example for sustainable urban development.

Because of the urgency to react to this urban challenge it is necessary to respond through a National Priority Project, which will create the opportunity to develop a full-fledged city district, economically vibrant and internationally and locally connected, able to provide access to housing, jobs and services for the GAMA. This National Priority Planned City Extension would represent an international example of sustainable urban development in West Africa, positioning Ghana as a national champion in addressing fast urbanization challenges. The next steps of the project will be a meeting between National and Local government to discuss budget allocation as well as the establishment of the management team and the steering committee.