President John Dramani Mahama announced that feasibility studies are currently underway for the design of a new national capital. He explained that this initiative aims to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, and inadequate infrastructure. “It is time to think long-term and plan for a new city to alleviate these issues,” Mr. Mahama stated while speaking at a durbar of chiefs and community members in Dodowa last Friday during his ‘Thank You’ visit. He confirmed that the government is actively considering the design and feasibility study for this ambitious project.
Decongestion
He stated that the proposed city would act as a secondary administrative and commercial hub, aimed at easing congestion in the capital by relocating certain government ministries, departments, agencies, and financial institutions. “I believe this city will be situated on the Accra plains, spanning across the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta regions,” he noted. The new capital city is expected to extend to the banks of the Volta River, with plans for a railway link and an expressway connecting it to Accra. President Mahama envisions it as a green, digital metropolis featuring industrial parks, financial services, and tourist attractions that would operate as a 24-hour economy. He explained that the rapid urbanisation, traffic gridlock, and inadequate infrastructure have become pressing issues that require a permanent solution.
Ridge Hospital
To improve access to quality healthcare services, the government plans to upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) into a fully functioning Teaching Hospital. Additionally, a Phase Two expansion of Ridge Hospital will be constructed to increase its capacity as a teaching facility in the Greater Accra Region. This development aims to enhance specialist training and reduce the need for referrals to facilities outside the region.
Furthermore, other health projects are set to be developed, including the expansion of CHIPS Compounds in peri-urban communities such as Bortianor, Kpone, and Shai Osu-Doku. In a bid to support a vibrant 24-hour economy that maximizes productivity and economic opportunities, the President also announced plans for the mass distribution and installation of streetlights in all districts of Greater Accra to improve security.
Roads
President Mahama listed a number of priority roads and other projects for Greater Accra. The road projects, he said, involved the rehabilitation of major corridors, expansion of existing ones and the construction of an outer Ring Road, which would divert traffic to bypass Accra to the northern and western parts of the country to ease congestion. “And so it means trucks and others coming from Lome and going to Kumasi or Takoradi don’t need to come through Accra; they’ll pass on the Outer Ring Road and continue their journey,” he emphasised.
On the list are the ongoing Adenta-Dodowa Road, the La-Teshie Link, the Tema Harbour-Tema General Hospital-Motorway Road, the Apolonia-Oyibi Road and the Tema Motorway Expansion; the reconstruction of the stretch from Dahwenya to Afienya, Afienya to Dodowa, Doryumu to Dodowa and Ashaiman to Madina.
The Nungua Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, on behalf of traditional leaders, said their confidence in President Mahama remains high, following positive signs recorded so far under his ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
