The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has called for deliberate investment in urban planning and sustainable settlement development to prevent the Upper East Region from repeating the planning mistakes that have contributed to devastating floods and loss of lives in other parts of the country.
The Minister made the call in an interview with Citi News, reflecting on the recent floods in the Greater Accra Region, stressing that the Upper East, as one of Ghana’s fastest-growing regions, has an opportunity to build well-planned towns and communities before rapid urbanisation outpaces development.
“We are a young and emerging region, and that presents us with an opportunity to get it right from the beginning,” he said.
He disclosed that urban planning has become a key priority for the Regional Coordinating Council and district assemblies, adding that he has already engaged planning officers across the region on the need for proactive spatial planning.
“We have held discussions with our planning officers on how we should plan our region, our districts and our communities so that we do not find ourselves facing the same challenges confronting the national capital,” he stated.
The Regional Minister said proper land-use planning, effective drainage systems and strict enforcement of development regulations are essential to building resilient communities capable of withstanding the impacts of rapid urbanisation and climate change.
“Our objective is to ensure that we plan our towns and communities properly so that history will judge us kindly. Otherwise, we risk repeating the mistakes of previous generations, and people will continue to lose their lives as a result,” he cautioned.
He stressed that preventing future disasters requires long-term planning rather than reactive measures, urging metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to integrate disaster risk reduction into local development plans.
He further called for stronger collaboration among planners, engineers, traditional authorities, policymakers and residents to ensure orderly development and environmental sustainability across the Upper East Region.
He said investing in planned communities today would not only reduce the risk of flooding and other disasters but also support sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life for future generations.
Read Also:
