Achieving Healthy City Development in Ghana: Referencing Sustainable Development Goal 11

Abstract

Despite the growing responsiveness in creating eco-friendly cities with reference to SDG 11, little attention has been focused on the role of Ghanaian local authorities (i.e., District Assemblies (DAs)) in achieving this global feat. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the views of personnel working with Ghana’s District Assemblies on the achievement of healthy city development (HCD) through the lens of SDG 11. Data were obtained from 165 key personnel currently working with the District Assemblies in Ghana through structured close-ended questionnaires. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from this study revealed that personnel working in the DAs of Ghana possess an average level of awareness of the SDG 11 indicators. Furthermore, the findings revealed a low level of achievement of development toward attaining healthy cities in Ghana. Subsequently, the findings also revealed four (4) critical challenges encountered in achieving HCD with the topmost being the ‘lack of financial resources for implementing healthy city policies’. The findings from this study pioneer knowledge on the scarce literature sources on the topic within the Ghanaian context. It also provides insight into the current level of achievement of SDG 11 targets in Ghana.

Associated Challenges of Urban Land Acquisition and Development Procedures in Ghana: A Case Study of Kumasi

“…After the acquisition of land, one of the very key components in the development procedure is the approval of the planning scheme by the Town and Country Planning Department as well as the issuance of a building permit. The issuance of development permits by District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Authorities is a procedural step taken to ensure that community growth in a certain location or jurisdiction is managed and carried out according to plan (Botchway et al, 2014). By issuing building licenses, District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Authorities can ensure that the growth of communities within a given region or authority is controlled and carried out according to plan (Kasanga & Kotey, 2001).…”

“…Ignorance of these statutory rules and regulations has caused a lot of disorder in communities. According to Botchway et al, (2014), Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene (traditional ruler of the Ashanti Kingdom), expressed concern at the rapid rate at which unauthorized and unplanned structures were sprouting up in some parts of the city during one of his periodic inspection of Kumasi Metropolis. This shows how the growth of certain communities is not in accordance with the desired city or town layout.…”

“…According to Boamah et al (2012), about 80 per cent of all urban growth in Ghana takes place outside of formal planning procedures and is typically governed by traditional authority, land use planning has generally failed to have a substantial impact on sustainable urban development. Building construction activities without the required authorization and without a building permit are to blame for the undesirable development the country is currently going through(Botchway et al, 2014). The second-largest city in Ghana, Kumasi, has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years.…”