Mahama Ayariga calls for redevelopment of Zongos without displacing residents

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has advocated for a thorough redevelopment of Zongo communities to address persistent issues in sanitation, housing, and basic infrastructure without displacing residents. Ayariga emphasized that the government's strategy should concentrate on transforming these communities while enabling residents to stay in their homes.

"It's not about removing anyone from the community; it's about redeveloping the area, and it's perfectly feasible to do so while keeping everyone in the community," he stated. Addressing the Zongo Chiefs Conference in Accra, themed "The Zongo Development Agenda," Ayariga highlighted that the substandard conditions in certain urban Zongos reflect deep-rooted social and economic inequalities that necessitate proactive measures.

He listed inadequate sanitation facilities, subpar housing, and limited access routes as some of the primary challenges that redevelopment must tackle. The Minister also reflected on his appointment as a chance to reaffirm his dedication to Zongo development, recalling his engagement with these communities since his law student and lawyer days.

He assured that his experience would be leveraged to propel their development, stressing that substantial change would require cooperation between government, traditional authorities, and community leaders.