A Sustainable Cities Strategy for Ghana - Greener, resilient, more inclusive, and prosperous urban growth

Jul 19, 2026

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A Sustainable Cities Strategy for Ghana sets out a framework for improving urban growth across the country, linking diagnosis of existing city performance to a practical strategy for action. The work explains why sustainable cities matter in Ghana, reviews the evolution of urban clusters, and assesses how sustainable the largest cities are across dimensions such as livability, inclusion, governance, services, and environmental pressures. It culminates in strategic actions, annexes on city frameworks, and references supporting implementation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages144

Reading Time6 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Why Sustainable Cities Matter in Ghana?

Evolution of Ghana’s Cities

Definition of Cities and Urban Clusters

How Sustainable Are Ghana’s Cities?

Strategy to Promote Sustainable Urban Growth in Ghana

References

Annex 1: Ghana Sustainable Cities Framework

Annex 2: List of MMDAs Comprising Ghana’s 15 Largest Cities

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized A SUSTAINABLE CITIES STRATEGY FOR GHANA Greener, resilient, more inclusive, and prosperous urban growth © 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions—The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: [pubrights@worldbank.org](pubrights@worldbank.org). Cover design: Veronica Gadea, GCS, World Bank Group; Template and accesibility: Will Kemp, GCS, World Bank Group Contents Foreword iv Acknowledgements v Acronyms vi Executive Summary 1 Why Sustainable Cities Matter in Ghana? 9 Evolution of Ghana’s Cities 13 Definition of Cities and Urban Clusters 27 How Sustainable Are Ghana’s Cities? 33 Strategy to Promote Sustainable Urban Growth in Ghana 89 References 106 Annex 1: Ghana Sustainable Cities Framework 121 Annex 2: List of MMDAs Comprising Ghana’s 15 Largest Cities 128 Boxes Box 1 Updating the National Urban Policy 7 Box 2 Approaches to Defining and Measuring Sustainable Cities 11 Figures Figure 1 Sustainable Cities Implementation Framework 9 Figure 2 Rapid Urban Population Growth in Ghana 13 Figure 3 Urbanization Rate by Region 14 Figure 4 Average Household Size by Region 15 Figure 5 Population Density (Per Km2) 15 Figure 6 Share of District Population Born in the Same Locality 17 Figure 7 Quality of Life Indicators for Migrants vs. Non-migrants in Urban Areas (Percent) 19 Figure 8 Change in Built-Up Surface (2000 vs 2020) 21 Figure 9 Rapid Expansion of Built-Up Area at the Periphery of Cities 22 Figure 10 Conversion of Grassland, Tree Cover, and Shrubland at the Urban Fringe 23 Figure 11 Screening Results for 16 Pipeline PPP Projects under Consideration 26 Figure 12 Map of the 15 Largest Cities in Ghana 30 Figure 13 Zones of Influence: Proximity to Closest City 31 Figure 14 NSDF Spatial Development Concept 31 Figure 15 Updated Identification of Strategic City Networks 32 Figure 16 Sustainable Cities Implementation Framework 33 Figure 17 Average Annual Growth in IGF, 2015–2022 (%) 39 Figure 18 Percentage of 12+ Population Owning Functional ICT device, 2021 by Gender and Locality 45 Figure 19 Percentage of 12+ Population Not Owning a Mobile Phone, 2010 and 2021 45 Figure 20 Small Area Estimates of Poverty Deciles 50 Figure 21 Relati

FAQs

What is the purpose of A Sustainable Cities Strategy for Ghana?

It provides a strategy and implementation framework to guide greener, more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous urban growth in Ghana.

How does the document assess the sustainability of Ghana’s cities?

It evaluates sustainability across multiple dimensions, including governance, access to services, inclusion, housing, livability, economic activity, and environmental indicators.

What outputs and sections support implementation of the strategy?

It includes an executive summary, a national strategy to promote sustainable urban growth, figures and tables, and annexes such as the Ghana Sustainable Cities Framework and a list of the 15 largest cities’ MMDAs.

Jul 19, 2026

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