Is it time for a new capital in Ghana?

[jeff91]

i think it is about time Ghana change its capital from Accra, i mean Accra is nice and all with ok infrastructure. but it is growing way to fast in a very disorganization way that it is consuming its near by cities, Accra is not planned the government just sat there and let it grow out of control, now-a-days you will be driving and not knowing if you are in Tema or Accra. otherwise there need to be restrictions put on Accra like where to build and where not to build for example i see there is a lot of development going on around the airport wouldn't it be better if all that development was in the center of Accra to give the city some sort of shape. anyway there is an effort to do that with the gold coast city project which i pray happens. other wise the they can relocate the capital to Ada Foah Google earth it looks like the perfect place for a new capital or Tamale... im just throwing some opinions what do you think?

[Naijaborn]

Tamale in the North??

[jeff91]

Originally Posted by Naijaborn

Tamale in the North??

yeah its looks poor but it has real structure to it, a cash injection will do it lol

[DennisRodman817]

You need to plan an abuja type city in ghana

[Simfan34]

Waste of money. If Accra bothers you (it bothers me), then build a capital edge city. Most planned capitals are flops. Edge cities like New Delhi and Petrajaya have been more successful.

[jeff91]

what do you mean by edge cities

[Naijaborn]

An Edge city is Like a New City , but like a Twin City, to a Bigger one, which is either already badly planned, congested, or Mis managed, Like New Delhi just Outside of Delhi.. In the case of Ghana, Ull Just have to build a Smaller, well planned Etc City, Just outside Accra.......
Sounds like a Great Idea to me, But I think Like Jeff suggested, a less developed region of the country like Tamale should be chosen for a New capital, to even out development
Did u get that??

[diko]

I thought there are already plans to make Dodowa in the Greater Accra region the capital. It has been in the planning phase for many years now.

[popa1980]

Originally Posted by diko

I thought there are already plans to make Dodowa in the Greater Accra region the capital. It has been in the planning phase for many years now.

Its already the regional capital, it was never meant to be a national capital.

On the OP- Accra is a low density mess. It has been allowed to sprawl

1) in a disorganised fashion- no attention given to zoning

2) its ridiciulously low density which is a disaster for transport infrastructure. What other cities of Accra size ANYWHERE in the world do you get so many bungalows in the CENTRE of the city

3) very few public places and squares

I think it can still be saved though before it is "too late".

Rather than create a new capital they should decentralise things in Accra- moving governmental departments to other cities and give incentives for invetsment in the other major cities.

[diko]

Underlying this issue is that of gross indiscipline by the citizens in general. Buildings are put up almost anywhere without abiding by city codes, corruption of land department officials, AMA and city planners. If you have the money, then doors are open for you to do almost anything. I was in Accra last August and saw some buildings being erected in an area that used to be without construction for drainage purposes. I just couldn't believe my eyes.

[Arinze]

You may need to take an Abuja approach where people who violate the building codes have their houses its extreme but its the only way some understand (especially the rich, who believe the rules don't apply to them)

[Kifayat13]

Fixing up Accra surely must be a priority now with the oil money in hand. I have no doubt the leaders of Ghana understand that Accra's problems put a stain on the country. The city itself needs a competent government with vision though, they need a Fashola of sorts to move the city into the 21st century. There's a lot to be done though. Shantytowns and some of the more derelict formal building should be ripped down, and replaced by high density housing and offices, etc. or public squares. Unplanned communities need to be put more into the fold of the city and have regulations forced upon buildings. Accra also cannot afford to look past its tourism attractions in the shape of patriotic statues and squares, and also the precious beaches. Imagine a Washington DC with a beach, so many more people would flock there each year. And just for the sake of economy and practicality, a much bigger, more modern, advanced port should be built somewhere on the Accra coastline. I guess with the lack of coastline for some cities, this applies to most Ghanaian cities in general.