Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to create a new city to ease congestion in Accra.
Speaking at a meeting with the European Union Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, 28th May 2024, Mahama said Accra is grid-locked. He said the time has come for the government to plan and develop a new city to host some of the government institutions and decongest Accra.
John Mahama said the project would last at least 20 yeas but he will start the process if he is elected President.
“We will commence a feasibility study with a plan to construct a new city. Accra is grid-locked, and the time has arrived for us to relocate certain parts of the government services from Accra. Accra will remain the capital, but we will transfer a portion of it elsewhere,” Mahama said.
The NDC flagbearer mentioned possible locations as the Accra plains, bank of the Volta Lake and Mpakadan.
“There is already available land on the Accra Plains and the opposite bank of the Volta Lake. Moreover, we are establishing a port terminal in Mpakadan to transport cargo to the northern part of the country.”
Mr Mahama explained that a new city is needed because Acra has reached its limits and cannot be sustained unless the nation brings up a sustainable solution.
“Accra has expanded to its limits, and if we are not cautious, managing it as a sustainable city will become difficult. Thus, we will initiate the planning, design, and feasibility process. I anticipate that this project may take around 20 years to complete, but we need to take the first steps. Subsequent generations can then continue where we left off.”