Government to redevelop Korle Lagoon enclave without mass displacement

The government of Ghana plans to redevelop the Korle Lagoon enclave without displacing the thousands of residents currently living there, according to Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The redevelopment aims to clear accumulated waste and transform the area into a well-organized and livable community.

Ayariga emphasized that the government is not seeking to remove residents but rather to redevelop the space by introducing low-cost and high-rise housing facilities. He stressed that many residents in the enclave provide essential services in Accra and should not be relocated far from their workplaces. Instead of vertical redevelopment, the government is considering a model that allows a larger population to be accommodated on a smaller area.

The project will involve collaboration with the private sector and development partners to design sustainable and livable communities. Ayariga highlighted the importance of balancing the need to reclaim the area with the rights and welfare of residents, while adhering to international human rights principles. He noted that certain activities, such as cattle rearing, might not be compatible with the redevelopment plan and suggested creating new economic opportunities within the redeveloped area.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to lead the initiative after his international engagements, with key ministries, including Finance, Roads and Highways, and Local Government, playing crucial roles in the process. The government's goal is to convert the Korle Lagoon enclave from an environmentally degraded settlement into a properly planned and liveable community, as part of a broader sanitation campaign.