President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has unveiled a plan to address the increasing congestion in Accra by initiating a feasibility study for a new city outside the capital.
This proposed development aims to ease the infrastructural burden on Accra and create a new center of growth and employment.Mahama disclosed these plans during a meeting with the European Union Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
He outlined that while Accra would continue to serve as the nation’s capital, the creation of a new city is crucial for decongesting the metropolis. The relocation of various government ministries, departments, agencies, and financial institutions to this new area is expected to significantly reduce the congestion in Accra and stimulate economic activity.
The envisioned city could extend across three regions—Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta—and be located near the Volta Lake. Designed as a modern, green, and digital hub, the new city would include a variety of attractions such as tourist sites, amusement parks, industrial zones, and financial services. Mahama imagines this future city as a vibrant, 24-hour metropolis that will offer continuous activity and opportunities.
Remarks by John Mahama Over Congestion in Accra
We will commence a feasibility study with a plan to construct a new city. Accra is grid-locked, and the time has arrived for us to relocate certain parts of the government services from Accra. Accra will remain the capital, but we will transfer a portion of it elsewhere.
There is already available land on the Accra Plains and the opposite bank of the Volta Lake. Moreover, we are establishing a port terminal in Mpakadan to transport cargo to the northern part of the country.
There is abundant land in that area, allowing us to relocate some ministries, agencies, and departments out of the city and alleviate congestion,
Accra has expanded to its limits, and if we are not cautious, managing it as a sustainable city will become difficult. Thus, we will initiate the planning, design, and feasibility process. I anticipate that this project may take around 20 years to complete, but we need to take the first steps. Subsequent generations can then continue where we left off. John Mahama said.
