Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has urged banks in Ghana to play a greater role in maintaining and beautifying public spaces across the country. He made the call during a meeting with Heads of Banks. According to him, financial institutions have the resources, reach, and corporate responsibility to contribute meaningfully to cleaner, greener, and more welcoming communities.
Mr Ayariga proposed that selected streets could be renamed in a manner that highlights the partnership between banks and society. The institutions would then be encouraged to adopt and maintain those streets. This initiative, he believes, would help deepen cooperation between government, the private sector, and citizens while improving the appearance of communities.
The Minister emphasised that the initiative would be based on partnership rather than compulsion. He stressed that the Ministry would work closely with the banking sector to develop a transparent and sustainable framework. This framework would ensure that the partnership is mutually beneficial and leads to a more sustainable approach to public space maintenance.
Mr Ayariga said that the broader objective is to build a society where every institution and citizen recognises their role in contributing to national development. He believes that banks have the resources, the reach, and the responsibility to help keep public spaces clean, green, and welcoming.
The proposed initiative is part of a larger effort to involve corporate Ghana in street maintenance. The government plans to work with the private sector to address the country's waste management and sanitation challenges. This includes the development of engineered landfills and waste transfer stations nationwide.
The Minister's call to action comes at a time when the government is working to address various developmental challenges. These include the implementation of the Phase Two of the Kejetia Market Project and the development of a US$4.28bn water financing framework. The government is also committed to addressing teachers' conditions of service and providing a deprived-area allowance.
Mahama Ayariga's engagement with the banking sector is also part of a broader effort to build sustainable and resilient cities. He recently engaged with the World Bank on this issue. The Minister's initiative has received support from various stakeholders, including the Christian Council, which has called for the protection of mission schools' religious identity.
Key points
- Banks urged to contribute to maintaining and beautifying public spaces
- Proposed initiative based on partnership between government, private sector, and citizens
- Objective is to build a society where every institution and citizen contributes to national development
