In a significant step towards tackling urban air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a comprehensive five-year Air Quality Management Plan aimed at improving atmospheric conditions within the Greater Accra Region.

This came to light on Thursday when a delegation from the EPA, led by Acting Director Mrs. Selina Amoah, paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to seek active collaboration in rolling out the initiative.

Mrs. Amoah noted that the plan is informed by a four-year data-driven assessment of air pollution levels at key urban locations including Kaneshie First Light, Mallam Market, Tetteh Quarshie, and the University of Ghana. The results, she said, paint a troubling picture: Accra’s air pollution levels consistently exceed recommended thresholds, posing significant risks to public health and urban wellbeing.

“In response, we have proposed targeted interventions. One of these is to ensure the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) integrates emissions testing as a prerequisite for issuing roadworthy certificates,” she stated.

The EPA emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral involvement in addressing what is increasingly becoming a public health emergency, and called on the Ministry to lend its support in engaging local government structures and communities.

Officials of the Ministry welcomed the proposal with enthusiasm, expressing their readiness to partner with the EPA in implementing the strategy. They underscored the Ministry’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and affirmed that environmental protection remains a key pillar of local governance.

The engagement marks a new chapter in Ghana’s fight against air pollution where policy, science, and inter-agency collaboration converge for cleaner skies and healthier cities.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

(Public Relations Unit - MLGCRA)

The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is set to undertake a major urban transformation initiative in the Northern Region, specifically targeting the Tamale Metropolis.

The project, which aligns with Ghana’s national urban policy, aims to significantly enhance urban mobility, improve solid waste management, and promote environmental sustainability in Tamale one of the country’s fastest-urbanizing cities.

A final review meeting to consolidate the contribution agreement was held on Thursday, 5th June 2025, at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The session marked a key milestone in preparing for full-scale implementation of the project.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, described the initiative as a crucial step toward driving sustainable growth through improved decentralisation. He noted that government’s increased financial commitment to the assemblies must be matched with strong urban infrastructure to ensure lasting development.

Also addressing the meeting, Director for Local Governance and Decentralisation, Pln. Samuel Seth Passah, emphasized that decentralisation remains one of the most effective ways to deliver meaningful development at the local level. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the success of the project in Tamale.

The transformation of the Tamale Metropolis is expected to usher in a new era of urban development in the north, ultimately positioning the city as a regional engine of growth and innovation. The intervention forms part of government’s broader vision to bridge the development gap between the northern and southern sectors of the country while promoting inclusive, climate-resilient cities.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)

Ghana has taken a decisive leap toward reshaping the future of its urban spaces with the official launch of the Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy (GSCS), a comprehensive national framework aimed at promoting inclusive, green, resilient, and prosperous urban growth.

The Strategy, launched by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) in collaboration with the World Bank, was unveiled at a high-level ceremony at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The event brought together government officials, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan and Municipal Chief Executives, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, civil society, academia, and the media.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), described the Strategy as both “a national commitment and a call to action,” and emphasized that the document goes beyond policy to represent “a blueprint for building cities that work for everyone, cities that reflect our resilience, our aspirations, and our shared Ghanaian values.”

With Ghana’s urban population now exceeding 56.7% and projected to surpass 60% by 2030, the GSCS responds to the dual reality of opportunity and challenge. While urbanization continues to drive economic growth and innovation, it also presents pressing problems: inadequate infrastructure, worsening inequality, environmental degradation, and service delivery gaps.

The GSCS sets out four strategic actions to steer the country's urban transformation: targeting rapidly growing cities such as Tamale, Wa, Ho, Sunyani, Techiman, Bolgatanga, and Denu to curb unsustainable growth; prioritizing investment in solid waste management, urban mobility, land administration, and affordable housing; mobilizing local and private capital to bridge infrastructure financing gaps, estimated at $37 billion annually by the Ghana Infrastructure Plan; and enhancing coordination among stakeholders, including local governments, traditional authorities, and development partners, to ensure coherent and impactful urban investments.

The Minister highlighted the significance of a whole-of-society approach: “Sustainable urban development cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires multi-level collaboration across public, private, and community spheres.” He also underscored the importance of culturally grounded and people-centred smart cities, noting that urban development must consider heritage, human values, and the voices of marginalized populations.

In a show of strong international support, World Bank Division Director Robert Taliercio praised the Strategy as a milestone outcome of years of collaboration, noting that Ghana’s cities are poised to become “engines of green growth and inclusive opportunity.” He stressed the need to scale up property taxation, attract private capital through PPPs, and strengthen urban governance as levers for sustainable development.

The GSCS is deeply rooted in robust national data and diagnostics, drawing on the 2021 Population and Housing Census, Ghana Living Standards Survey, and other local studies. It is also aligned with Ghana’s Revised National Urban Policy (NUP), the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals; particularly SDG 11, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.

The Minister concluded by calling on all Ghanaians, especially the youth, to actively participate in shaping the cities of tomorrow. “Let us choose sustainability. Let us choose equity. Let us choose to build cities that we can all be proud of,” he declared.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

 (Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)