Ghana's Aimless Sprawl

As developing countries around the world continue to strive towards bridging the gap between them and the rest of the western world (in terms of infrastructure and technological development) some key elements always seem to be left out.

For example, in Accra, Ghana's capital the concern is that the need for sprawl and city development has not included basic amenities such as running water and constant electricity. The Osu Re area is already highly congested in terms of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, nothing is being done to address this issue but more shopping complexes are being squeezed in to try to turn more profit for every square inch of land. There is no concern shown for the fact that not only is this going to increase the traffic in Osu Re but also, no provisions have been made to ensure that there is adequate running water and electricity (lets not even mention phone lines or Internet).

Ghana is one of the most highly educated countries within West Africa and boasts many distinguished architects and city planners so why can't they get it right? This is how cities turn to squalor and government officials dare to wonder what went wrong. We all know that before any buildings are planned, basic amenities like roads, water and electricity are squared away so why can't they do that first. I don't think the government in Ghana really cares all that much for what the city looks like or how the citizens live day to day. President John Evans Atta Mills, will soon have Ghana join Zimbabwe on the shortlist for the so called Universal World House.


For more information, check: www.news.myjoyonline.com/features/200902/25816.asp