The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) has launched an eight-year development plan to project and accelerate social and infrastructural development in the area.
Implementation of the plan, estimated to cost GH¢750 million, is expected to be funded by the government, the private sector, development partners and from internally generated funds.
A 30-member committee led by former football administrator Nana Sam Brew-Butler was also inaugurated to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
Launching the plan, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), George Justice Arthur, said the plan, which is to be implemented between 2026 and 2033, is expected to create jobs and promote quality education and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
He indicated that the assembly intends to undertake some business ventures and the proceeds used to fund the implementation of the development plan, which includes students’ accommodation, water and transportation systems.
He said the development plan hinges on five thematic areas, including economic growth and job creation, infrastructure and urban development, social and human capital development, environmental sustainability and climate action, as well as good governance and institutional strengthening, service delivery, health services management, youth and social development.
Plan
Mr Arthur said under the health service sector, the assembly would rehabilitate and construct health facilities, renovate and upgrade the existing metropolitan hospital to a regional hospital, upgrade the Ewim Polyclinic to a metropolitan hospital and the Adisadel Health Centre to a polyclinic, and upgrade CHPS compounds to health centres.
He said the plan would also result in extensive road network improvement, building of infrastructure, including markets and police stations, installing street lights, building drains, lorry terminals and the redevelopment of old buildings into high-rise facilities.
He further indicated that several climate change actions would be undertaken, while biodiversity and ecotourism would be integrated in infrastructure development, as well as the promotion of environmental greening.
Mr Arthur said sanitation would also receive significant attention by incentivising private waste management and enforcing strict sanitation by-laws.
He also hinted at the construction of the Cape Coast Airport to promote tourist inflows.
Commendation
A Presidential Staffer, Mike Dery, who spoke on behalf of the Vice-President, Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, commended the assembly for the foresight.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Prof. Kobby Mensah, called for efforts at positioning Cape Coast as a preferred tourism destination.
He suggested bus tours to enhance the tourism potential of the area.
The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, called for all hands to be on deck to support the accelerated development of the area.
Nana Brew-Butler urged the people of Cape Coast to eschew apathy and support the accelerated development of the metropolis.
