The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has raised concerns about Ghana’s rapid urbanisation, which is projected to reach 70% by 2050, with 57% of the population already living in urban areas.
Speaking at the Urban Observation Indicator Validation Workshop held in Accra on Tuesday, October 8, the Ministry, in collaboration with the European Union and Expertise France, discussed the establishment and operationalisation of the Urban Observatory (UO) under the EU-Sustainable Cities Project.
Divine Yao Ayidzoe, Director of Research, Statistics, and Information at the Ministry, emphasised the need for the Urban Observatory to address the challenges posed by this fast-paced urban growth.
He highlighted that the observatory would play a critical role in enhancing data collection, which in turn would improve evidence-based planning and decision-making to better manage urbanisation.
Ayidzoe stressed that proactive measures and accurate data are essential to ensure sustainable urban development as the country continues to experience rapid growth in its urban centres.
“The current rate of urbanisation places severe pressure on infrastructure and the provision of basic services in cities and towns resulting in limited access to key urban services such as water supply, sanitation and waste management.
“Urban infrastructure and services deficit create public health hazards, environmental degradation and climate vulnerability, thereby generating high levels of inequality, and showing down the base of economic transition, increasing the risk of social tension, instability and migration.
“Improved data on existing levels of services will greatly contribute to evidence-based planning and decision-making,” Divine Yao Ayidzoe said.
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