The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has raised concerns over Ghana’s rapid urbanisation, expected to reach 70% by 2050, with 57% of the population already residing in urban areas. Speaking at the Urban Observation Indicator Validation Workshop in Accra, the Ministry, alongside the European Union and Expertise France, discussed the creation of the Urban Observatory under the EU-Sustainable Cities Project.
Director of Research, Statistics, and Information at the Ministry, Divine Yao Ayidzoe, emphasized the importance of the Urban Observatory in addressing urban growth challenges. He stressed that improved data collection would enhance evidence-based planning and decision-making, enabling better management of urbanisation and its associated pressures on infrastructure and services.
Ayidzoe warned that Ghana’s current urbanisation rate puts pressure on infrastructure, including water supply, sanitation, and waste management, resulting in public health risks, environmental degradation, and economic inequality. He further highlighted the need for proactive measures and accurate data to ensure sustainable urban development as the country’s cities and towns continue to grow rapidly.
By establishing the Urban Observatory, the Ministry aims to create a platform for collecting and analyzing data on urban services. This will help planners to better anticipate and respond to urban challenges, ensuring that Ghana’s urban centres can grow sustainably and meet the needs of their residents.