Ghana's government has launched a new 10-year National Urban Policy and a National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy. These initiatives, running from 2026 to 2035, aim to tackle persistent issues like flooding, housing shortages, and unplanned settlements across the country.
The new policies were introduced on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, during the 9th Ghana Urban Forum in Accra. They come after a review of Ghana's maiden National Urban Policy, implemented in 2012, revealed that it achieved only about 50% of its intended outcomes. This significant shortfall highlighted the need for a more robust and effectively coordinated approach to urban development.
This development is crucial for Ghana's economic and social landscape, given the rapid pace of urbanization. The country's urban population has surged from approximately 4 million in the 1980s to an estimated 20.4 million in 2026. Projections indicate that by 2030, nearly two out of every three Ghanaians will reside in urban areas, placing immense pressure on existing infrastructure and services. Addressing these challenges is vital for sustained economic growth and improved living standards.
President John Mahama, in a keynote address delivered by Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Board Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), acknowledged the persistent gap between policy formulation and effective implementation. He attributed past shortcomings to weak coordination among institutions, inadequate financing, poor integration of policies into sectoral plans and budgets, and insufficient monitoring mechanisms. The President emphasized that while progress was made in areas like urban safety and spatial planning, major gaps remained in affordable housing, urban financing, and data systems.
The new policy frameworks are designed to promote sustainable urban growth, effective land use planning, and climate resilience. They also aim to improve infrastructure financing, increase the availability of affordable housing, and enhance digital governance. Furthermore, the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy specifically targets improving living conditions in informal settlements and preventing the emergence of new slums. This comprehensive approach seeks to create more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities for all Ghanaians.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to integrate these new policy frameworks into their development plans and budgets. He stressed that the success of these initiatives would depend on effective implementation at the local level, rather than merely the quality of the policy documents themselves. His ministry will coordinate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of both policies to ensure measurable improvements in the lives of Ghanaians.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, announced that his ministry has already begun reviewing Ghana's National Housing Policy. This review aims to align it with the new urban policy, prioritizing affordable housing, climate-responsive settlements, and resilient infrastructure. Stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners is expected to meet Ghana's growing urban housing needs. These coordinated efforts are essential to address the complex challenges of urban development and ensure a better future for Ghana's urban population.