I will move the capital city from Accra if I become President – Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
Kwabena Agyei Agyepong who is vying for the flagbearership position of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is advocating for the relocation of Ghana’s capital from Accra due to the surge in population.
He revealed that he proposed this idea to former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2006, especially when Ghana was bidding to host the CAN 2008 and AU 2008 conferences.
In his words;
“If I had my way, there is a place between Kintampo and Salaga; there is a large space very close to the Volta River that could be a very prime location for the capital of Ghana; we could move the Jubilee House there; we could have built the new Tamale Stadium there.”
Stressing on his explanation, he asserted that if there were a new capital city with well-planned road networks, streets, and other amenities, the AU buildings in Cantonment could have been erected there. This is how a new urban settlement should be established.
Engineer Agyepong stressed the urgency of Ghana transforming its human settlements. He argued that Accra, for instance, needs to be revitalized, including its urban population. He pointed out that the current living conditions in the city are subpar, not necessarily in terms of monetary value, but in how people live their daily lives. He proposed that in designing an area, like a church avenue, proper planning should include playgrounds and designated areas for children. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of cleanliness and ensuring that streets are properly laid out.
“We must adhere to a plan, which is not the case in Ghana. Today you have mixed development, you’re there, then they tear down a building and construct a church; we can ensure that all of these things adhere to the necessary regulations and plans”, he emphasized.
In using Nigeria where Lagos serves as the commercial capital and Abuja as the political capital to make a case, he cited the need for Ghana to consider relocating its capital. However, when asked if he would make it a campaign issue to garner votes, he declined, stating that the focus should be on ensuring that all Ghanaians feel united as one nation. For instance, he questioned why a cocoa processing factory should be situated in Tema instead of locations like Hohoe or Sehwi.
He also expressed skepticism about the impact of the Tree Crops Authority, three years after its establishment, on the nation.
