Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga today urged the government to launch a comprehensive redevelopment of Ghana’s Zongo communities, citing persistent problems with sanitation, housing and basic infrastructure. He made the call at the Zongo Chiefs Conference in Accra, which ran under the theme “The Zongo Development Agenda.”
Speaking to the chiefs and community representatives, Ayariga said that the poor conditions in some urban Zongos reflect longstanding social and economic inequalities that must be addressed by deliberate state and community action. He added that redevelopment must be carried out without displacing residents, stressing that it is possible to transform the communities while allowing people to remain in their homes.
“It’s not about taking anyone out of the community; it’s about redeveloping the place, and it is perfectly possible to redevelop it with everybody still in that community,” the minister said.
Ayariga highlighted that the redevelopment should tackle major challenges including inadequate sanitation facilities, substandard housing and the lack of proper access routes within some Zongo communities. He also recalled his earlier work with Zongo communities as a law student and lawyer, describing his appointment as an opportunity to return to a cause he has championed for decades.
He pledged to use his experience and exposure to help advance the development agenda of Zongo communities, calling for a collective effort from government, traditional and community leaders. The minister’s remarks come as part of a broader push to improve living conditions in Ghana’s urban informal settlements.
What follows is the government’s response and any concrete plans for funding and implementation, which will be closely monitored by community leaders and civil society groups.
