Local Government Ministry launches urban development programme in four cities

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has initiated the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP) in four cities with a 40 million Euros concessionary loan, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, has said.

This, he said, is to give a clearer focus on urban development and management with Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale and Ho as initial beneficiaries.

It would be replicated in other cities and towns after the initial pilot project

In addition, the Ministry has also spearheaded the development of a policy framework and operational guidelines for street naming and property addressing system for the nation that had been approved by the Cabinet for implementation.

Mr. Ampofo said this at the World Habitat Day celebration held in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis on Monday.

The global theme for the celebration is: “Cities and Climate Change” with a national sub-theme,” Cities and climate Change: Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas on Human Settlement”.

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic rights to adequate shelter for all.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo said other urban programmes and projects initiated by the Ministry included the up-coming World Bank Local Government and Capacity Support project that would be implemented in the entire 46 Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies with $175 million.

Other ongoing projects include the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project II, Urban Management Land Information System, Urban Poverty Reduction Project, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme and Land Service and Citizenship for the urban poor.

Source: GNA