Dr. Benedict Mensah Arkhurst In a recent interview on Dominion TV’s Wake Up Africa morning show, Dr. Benedict Mensah Arkhurst, the Deputy Director of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), disclosed the agency’s insufficient resources hindering its effective operations.
Despite LUSPA’s commendable performance in executing its duties, the execution of plans encounters significant hurdles due to resource inadequacies.
Established as a replacement for the Town and Country Planning Department, LUSPA’s core mandate is to strategically plan, manage, and foster sustainable development within human settlements across Ghana.
Dr. Arkhurst acknowledged the disparity between planned outcomes and on-ground realities across the 29 municipal assemblies within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, emphasizing the pressing need for more substantial resources to address critical ecological issues.
Accra, grappling with the repercussions of rapid urbanization, faces a multitude of challenges exacerbated by its escalating population, which reached an estimated 5.5 million as of 2023, with an annual growth rate of 3.5%.
The city’s infrastructure strain has triggered environmental crises, including floods, fires, and escalating land and air pollution, imperiling the well-being of its populace.
Designated as a global city with burgeoning international connectivity by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, Accra is beset by various environmental maladies stemming from its swelling population.
To mitigate these concerns effectively, Dr. Arkhurst underscored the imperative of concerted collaborative efforts among LUSPA, landowners, and governmental entities to facilitate sustainable urban progression.
Nonetheless, the substantial financial commitments required to combat these environmental predicaments impede allocations to pivotal sectors like education and healthcare.
As Accra endeavors to metamorphose sustainably, policymakers and stakeholders must prioritize eco-conscious urban planning endeavors encompassing green infrastructure enhancements, effective waste management systems, and the promotion of environmentally-friendly practices city-wide.
In an upcoming collaboration between Dominion TV’s esteemed Wake Up Africa morning show and LUSPA, a pioneering initiative will be introduced to adopt proactive measures for sustainable urban expansion, envisioning a harmonious balance between growth and environmental preservation in Accra.
This visionary program strives to curtail the adverse impacts of urban evolution, fostering a healthier, more livable milieu for the city’s inhabitants.
Regarded as Ghana’s premier morning television program, the Wake Up Africa morning show on Dominion TV, hosted by the revered tandem Korku Lumor and Precious Biadela, transcends boundaries by igniting thought-provoking discussions on topical issues encompassing current affairs, health, fitness, and entertainment.
Broadcasting on weekdays from 6:30 am to 10:00 am GMT, the show champions Ghanaian and African cultures, values, and talents while delving into the geopolitical realms of Africa and global narratives, setting itself apart as a beacon among African morning television broadcasts.