Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has proposed that banks and companies adopt sections of streets to support urban beautification and environmental sustainability in Ghana. This initiative aims to complement the government's efforts to improve city appearances and reduce reliance on central government funding for urban development.
The proposal was made during a gathering of bank heads organised by the Bank of Ghana, attended by Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama. Mr Ayariga noted that banks and companies already support beautification efforts by adopting small city spaces during festive occasions. He suggested expanding this into a daily corporate responsibility programme where companies adopt and maintain specific road stretches.
Under the proposed initiative, companies would collaborate with the Town and Country Planning Department and the Urban Roads Directorate to design and develop adopted streets. They would support planting and maintaining trees, green grass, flowers, and other features that enhance street appearances. Companies could brand adopted areas as part of their corporate identity, subject to agreed arrangements with relevant authorities.
The Minister suggested that companies' names could be associated with adopted streets, citing the possibility of adding a corporate name to an existing road name. He recommended incorporating the initiative into companies' annual budgets and adopting varying road lengths in areas where they operate. This initiative could create opportunities for young people through expanded parks and gardens activities and engagement of contractors for maintenance works.
According to Mr Ayariga, widespread adoption of road stretches by banks and companies could significantly improve Ghana's urban environment. Beautiful and well-maintained cities could attract visitors, support businesses, and improve workers' and residents' quality of life. He plans to engage the Ghana Association of Contractors to explore implementation ways and develop a workable arrangement with the private sector.
Dr Asiama welcomed the proposal and tasked relevant teams to engage with Mr Ayariga to determine how it could be operationalised, even on a small scale. The project offers a win-win arrangement by improving the urban environment while reducing the central government's burden to finance beautification. The Governor thanked Mr Ayariga for the proposal and stated that the financial sector would engage stakeholders on how to move the initiative forward.
The initiative's success could lead to a nationwide improvement in urban aesthetics and environmental sustainability. By adopting streets, companies can contribute to Ghana's development while enhancing their corporate image. The collaboration between the government and private sector is expected to yield positive results in creating beautiful and sustainable cities.
Key points
- The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has urged banks and companies to adopt sections of streets to support urban beautification and environmental sustainability in Ghana.
- The proposed initiative aims to complement the government's efforts to improve city appearances and reduce reliance on central government funding for urban development.
- The project offers a win-win arrangement by improving the urban environment while reducing the central government's burden to finance beautification.
