Urban development specialist Farouk Braimah says Ghana stands a chance to meet the first seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a go if it succeeds in upgrading Nima and Maamobi as planned.
Mr. Braimah who was speaking on 3FM Sunrise morning show said an upgrade of such a magnitude could lead to significant livelihood development of the area.
On Tuesday May 14, Works and Housing Minister Samuel Atta Akyea announced that government has planned to transform Nima, Maamobi and other populated areas into world-class residential districts.
“We are creating a housing arrangement for them. They will move in free of charge. So we create a better environment for them.
“The land space where they are will be released to the developer. Then the developer can decide; I will make sure that the land space I have will be more glamorous,” the minister said while addressing the press on Tuesday.
Farouk Braimah who is a lecturer at the Institute of Local Government Studies lauded government for the initiative, adding the communities could see inclusive development and Ghana will make strides in achieving seven of the SDGs.
“With a slum upgrade of the magnitude the minister is talking about, we are going to deal with all the seven at a go; education, health, livelihood, water and sanitation, climate change, employment, all of this will be tackled at a go.
“As for the way to go, if we continue to do more of this concentrated area development, I can see all the seven SDGs being achieved.”
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for the area, Yussif Issaka Jajah is alleging government is yet to consult inhabitants in the proposed areas.
He noted that though the initiative was laudable, his constituents would be concerned about their inheritance.
By Paul Selorm Agbo| 3news.com|Ghana