The government has pledged to strengthen efforts toward creating resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban communities as the country joins the global community to commemorate World Habitat Day 2025.
This year’s celebration, held on Monday, October 6, is being observed under the global theme “Urban Crisis Response” and the localised theme “Resilient Cities, Inclusive and Clean Communities: Responding to Urban Challenges.”
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources (MWHWR), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Country Office said the commemoration highlights the urgent need for bold and transformative action to address challenges such as urban displacement, housing insecurity, and inadequate service delivery.
The statement noted that Ghana is already implementing several strategic initiatives to respond to these challenges.
The Ministry of Local Government has launched the Sustainable Cities Strategy with support from the World Bank. The initiative provides a framework for building inclusive, climate-resilient, and economically vibrant urban centres through integrated planning, digital innovation, and participatory governance.
Additionally, the National Sanitation Day has been relaunched to mobilise citizens, local authorities, and civil society in improving environmental health and reducing flood risks through monthly clean-up exercises.
The government is finalising the National Urban Policy (2026–2035) and the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy (2025–2034) to align national frameworks with global sustainable development goals. Supported by UN-Habitat and the European Union, the revised strategy aims to improve tenure security, infrastructure, and community-led development in informal settlements.
The Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources noted that it is leading efforts to close Ghana’s housing deficit through multiple initiatives, including the Pokuase-Afiaman Affordable Housing Project, which targets 8,000 units for low- to middle-income earners under a Public-Private Partnership model.
The government also plans to construct 328 EDGE-certified housing units across eight pilot districts under the Greenville District Housing Programme and continues to support homeownership through the National Homeownership Fund and the National Rental Assistance Scheme, which has already disbursed over GH₵33 million to assist nearly 4,000 Ghanaians.
UN-Habitat has supported Ghana to develop a Climate Action Roadmap promoting the use of sustainable, low-carbon building materials. Meanwhile, the Smart SDG Cities Programme, implemented in ten cities across eight regions, is harnessing urban innovation to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Under the Improved Resilience of Coastal Communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana Project, launched in 2024, Ghana is strengthening climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration efforts in vulnerable coastal areas such as Ada West, Ada East, and Anloga.
As part of the joint message, Local Government Minister Ahmed Ibrahim, Housing Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and UN-Habitat Country Manager Abena Ntori reaffirmed their collective commitment to “building cities that are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to crisis.”
They called on government agencies, traditional leaders, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to work together to shape urban futures that “leave no one behind.”
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