Accra, Ghana’s dynamic capital is on track to become one of Africa’s largest cities in the coming years. A key driver of this transformation is the city’s rapidly expanding population.
According to projections by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for 2021–2050, Accra’s population stood at 5,455,692 in 2021. The city is expected to surpass 7.5 million by 2050, with population pressure intensifying as early as 2030.
This surge will place additional strain on Accra’s already limited land resources and infrastructure.
The effects of this growth are already evident traffic congestion, expanding slums, waste management challenges, and an overcrowded central business district (CBD).
Accra’s population density currently stands at 1,200 people per square kilometer, significantly contributing to traffic congestion and overcrowding. On average, traffic across major highways in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area has increased between 2.5% and 14.8% per annum.
For many residents and workers in the capital, daily traffic congestion is a frustrating reality, affecting their ability to begin their daily routines on time.
“Being in traffic for long hours really gets me worried,” said Nana Baffour, a civil worker in Accra. “I stay at Sowutoum, which is not too far from my office—maybe a 45-minute drive. However, I spend close to two hours commuting every morning, which is very disturbing.”
Georgette Annoh, a student at the Ghana Law School in Makola, shared a similar concern: “I have sustained several burns on my legs from using motorbikes anytime I want to skip traffic to arrive on time.”
Accra’s rapid urbanization has led to an increased demand for transportation services. However, the explosive growth of motor vehicles has not been matched by the expansion of road infrastructure.
A lack of investment in mass transit systems, such as buses and trains, further exacerbates congestion levels.
Additionally, inadequate and substandard public transportation systems have left many residents with no choice but to rely on private vehicles due to issues of limited reach, reliability, efficiency, and quality.
As a multi-functional city serving as Ghana’s political, economic, and social hub, Accra continues to experience intense land pressure. This has resulted in the encroachment of green spaces and wetlands. The capital’s “pull effect” attracts people from rural areas in search of better living conditions, access to potable water, electricity, and quality education. However, the growing population has outpaced the supply of housing, leading to skyrocketing rent prices and an increase in slum settlements.
Naa Atswei, who lives in a slum along the Odaw River, explained her situation: “I migrated from my village for greener pastures in Accra, but I can’t afford rent. At least here, I don’t have to pay to stay.”
According to a UN Habitat report, slum dwellers make up 38.4% of Accra’s population and occupy about 15.7% of the city’s land area. As a result, parts of the city have become unsafe, with poor living conditions and inadequate infrastructure.
Accra’s perennial flooding, which leads to the loss of lives and destruction of property, is also linked to the population boom. The surge has led to improper spatial planning and unregulated developments in flood-prone areas. Poor waste management continues to be a major issue, contributing to increasing filth across the city.
Markets and business districts, particularly in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD), are struggling to accommodate the rising population. Overcrowding has reduced business efficiency, forcing traders to set up makeshift stands along major roads.
“I know very well that there’s no legal backing to sell on these roads,” said Enoch Attah, a trader. “But unemployment is high, and since there’s no space in Makola to accommodate me, I have no other option but to make a living this way.”
Currently, several areas in the CBD, such as Makola and Kantamanto, are no longer fit for purpose. Congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and informal trading have turned these once-thriving economic hubs into chaotic, high-risk zones. Informal markets, often plagued by overcrowding and fire hazards, need to be relocated to newly developed commercial zones.
The big question remains: How can we address these challenges arising from Accra’s growing population?
- Decentralization: The government needs to decentralize activities and create urban centres in all 16 regions of Ghana. This will prevent an over-concentration of people in the capital. Citizens must have access to premium education, potable water, good housing, and job opportunities in their respective regions.
- Planned Urbanization: Authorities must implement strict urban planning measures to control the unregulated expansion of Accra and mitigate the negative effects of rapid urbanization.
- Efficient Transport Systems: Ghana needs a comprehensive and efficient transport system. This includes railway networks, new road designs to accommodate high-occupancy buses, and improved public transport services that allow people to plan their travel without unnecessary delays due to traffic congestion. While overhead bridges may provide temporary relief, they often shift traffic congestion to the next intersection rather than solving the problem.
- Zoning Regulations: The city should implement zoning policies that discourage unnecessary travel to the CBD, making it expensive for people to commute to certain areas unless necessary.
- High-Rise Developments: Real estate developers should focus on constructing high-rise buildings rather than sprawling lateral structures. This will maximize land use and help accommodate the growing population more efficiently.
Accra is at a crossroads. While urbanization presents immense opportunities for growth and development, failure to address its accompanying challenges will lead to even greater congestion, poor living conditions, and inefficiencies. A well-planned city with efficient transport, proper zoning, and balanced development will be key to making Accra a livable and thriving city in the years to come.
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