The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to adopt innovative approaches to addressing the city’s infrastructure challenges by redeveloping old and dilapidated public structures into modern facilities.
Speaking during a working visit to the AMA as part of his assessment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, the Minister said the limited availability of land in Accra should not hinder development, particularly when existing Assembly properties can be transformed into productive and revenue-generating assets.
According to him, Accra’s status as the nation’s capital and commercial centre demands bold planning, efficient land use and strong leadership to meet the growing needs of residents, traders and businesses.
He urged the Assembly to move beyond conventional development approaches and explore redevelopment models that would maximise the use of old markets, office buildings, sanitation facilities and other public infrastructure.
The Minister noted that modernising existing structures could help improve service delivery, enhance revenue mobilisation and contribute to the overall transformation of the city.
Welcoming the Minister and his delegation, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the visit offered an opportunity for the Assembly to highlight its achievements, challenges and development priorities.
He added that the Assembly continues to benefit from the experience and guidance of former city leaders, including Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, whose support has strengthened the work of the Assembly.
