By Stephen Appiah Takyi, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Owusu Amponsa, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Capital cities play an important role in the socioeconomic development of all countries. People generally move to cities where there are opportunities.
Accra, the capital of Ghana, demonstrates this pull effect and the problems it can create, such as congestion issues and development planning.
One consequence has been periodic flooding, which has claimed lives and property. Over the years, the city authorities have tried to decongest Accra, without success. The city is now demolishing illegal structures, especially those near waterways.
Some people have suggested that Accra’s congestion problem could be solved by moving the capital to another city. Others disagree.
Our position in this ongoing debate is based on a six-year-old study that one of us conducted comparing Accra to the Nigerian capital, Abuja…
