Accra, May, 31, 2017—Leading ministries and the 16 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are committed to addressing the many hazards that can set back development gains said a CityStrength Diagnostic report launched in Accra.
The Greater Accra Region (GAR) is well positioned to enhance resilience at the metropolitan level, according to the report. It highlighted the need for a long-term vision for the region that includes projected population increase and necessary adaptations to climate change.
Greater Accra Region’s response to acute shocks, the report notes, has been primarily reactive. Whenever a shock occurs, agencies such as the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and individual MMDAs respond with emergency and relief services.
However, an absence of efforts at prevention and early warning makes the region constantly susceptible to a wide range of shocks and stresses. The recommendations of the CityStrength Diagnostic, a World Bank tool, cut across infrastructure needs as well as institutional interventions and behavioral change.
“The CityStrength Diagnostic brought together stakeholders at the national, regional, and local level, including government officials, development institutions, and civil society,” said Asmita Tiwari, Task Team Leader, CityStrength Diagnostic in Accra.
Through a series of consultations, workshops and data analysis, the process led to the identification of main vulnerabilities affecting the GAR followed by the prioritization of follow-up actions and cross-sectoral recommendations to enhance resilience in GAR.
The Diagnostic found that flooding, fire, cholera outbreaks, and coastal erosion are the main shocks that residents are exposed to, while ongoing stresses on the city region include poor sanitation, rapid urban growth, proliferation of informal settlements, excessive unemployment, and land and chieftaincy conflicts.
Looking into current institutional structure, it was determined that improved Metropolitan Planning and Coordination through effective metropolitan governance will engender a long term vision for the region with effective urban and land-use planning, including risk management.
The report also called for the need to Integrate Urban Flood and Coastal Zone Management. The GAR needs urban systems that can handle floods and sea level rise in the context of climate change.
Quick wins include finalizing the GAR-wide drainage and flood control master plan and updating existing plans for incorporation into current spatial development strategies and land use plans.
On the preparedness side, the report recommended that GAR should identify and secure areas to increase water retention capacity and reduce runoff as well as develop green areas on floodplains.
To enhance resilience in vulnerable communities, the report emphasized the need to identify vulnerable settlements so investment can be focused in the most exposed places.
This key information can feed into a comprehensive slum upgrading and redevelopment strategy, which needs to be integrated with local economic development initiatives and any existing development plans.
“Improving resilience in the Greater Accra Region directly relates to World Bank’s twin goals of reducing poverty and enhancing prosperity”, said Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Ghana. “Flooding affects vulnerable communities, often residing in low-lying areas, without appropriate access to urban services and infrastructure”.
The report called for the need to Improve Disaster Preparedness and Response to multi-hazards, through a good understanding of the risks facing the GAR, including future climate change impacts such as increased frequency and intensity of rain fall and sea level rise. It notes that it is essential for fulfilling the MMDAs’ mandate to plan, mainstream, and implement evidence-based disaster and climate risk management actions.
A forward-looking strategy for resilience, based on the CityStrength Diagnostic recommendations, will lead to a thriving, competitive, and inclusive Greater Accra Region.
Instructively, the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.3 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $19 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa.
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