Swiftly intervene to avert overcrowded population in Accra – GSS to government
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has cautioned the government to swiftly intervene in the exponential population growth in the Greater Accra region.
It contends that this has become imperative as the region covers a smaller land space.
Speaking at the launch of the population projections for 2021 to 2050, the Deputy Government Statistician, Dr Faustina Frempong, said there will be more development work required to cater to the growth in the region.
Dr. Frempong warned that policymakers must intervene to re-align the development of structures in the region.
“We think policymakers must look at structure planning in the region again because Greater Accra has the smallest land size, but the population growth rate is high with highly concentrated young age. More people there put a lot of pressure on the land, and we think the kind of structures being put up must be considered in decision-making so that we make sure to contain all the people,” she said.
People generally move to cities where there are opportunities.
Accra demonstrates this pull effect – and the problems it can create, like congestion and development planning issues.
One consequence has been regular flooding, which has claimed lives and property.
Over the years, the city authorities have tried to decongest Accra without success.
The city is now demolishing illegal structures, especially those close to waterways.
According to GSS, the country’s growth will increase by 6.41 million by 2030.
The population projection aims to offer insights into the future demographic landscape whilst informing policymakers, researchers, and the public about potential changes.
According to the GSS, this is critical for tracking the implementation of national, continental and global development goals.
One key takeaway from the results is the population pressure on the Greater Accra Region, which is expected to deepen by 2030.
This phenomenon is likely to affect the region’s land size.
Ghana’s projected total population in 2024 is over 33 million, 1.07 times the 2021 figure of 30.8 million.
Greater Accra also has the highest population of school-going age and is expected to increase further by 2030.
Some have suggested that moving the capital to another city could solve Accra’s congestion problem, but this has been met with strong opposition.