The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has renewed calls for a fundamental rethink of Accra’s urban planning framework, warning that the capital’s current state reflects years of weak coordination, poor infrastructure planning and neglect of long-term development priorities.

Speaking at the third Ghana Construction Industry Excellence on December 18, 2025, the traditional ruler described Accra as a city under severe strain, citing congestion, overstretched sanitation systems, inadequate drainage and infrastructure development.

“It’s choked with congestion on planned settlements, strained sanitation systems, inadequate drainage, and uncondemnated infrastructure,” King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II said. “To confess, the modern capital is not inherited. It is designed. It is planned. It is deliberately built.”

He called on the government and private sector to work together to revise Accra’s existing master plan, describing the move as critical to the city’s future.

According to him, any revised plan must be comprehensive and inclusive, covering all parts of the capital, particularly the central business district, where pressure on infrastructure and services is most intense.

“I therefore urge government and the private sector partners to form a strong, well-coordinated coalition to revise the current master plan of Accra,” he said. “That is very, very important. Accra must have a new master plan and it must cover everywhere, especially the central business district," he noted.

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The Ga Mantse also outlined a broader vision for the redevelopment of the Greater Accra Region, calling for sustainable decongestion measures, renewal of inner-city communities and increased investment in green spaces, waste management systems and efficient transport corridors.

He also advocated the creation of new, well-planned urban centres to accommodate population growth and reduce pressure on the capital.

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“We must redevelop and modernize the Greater Accra Region, implement a sustainable decongestion strategy, revitalize the inner-city communities, invest in green areas, waste systems and efficient transport corridors, and create new planned urban centres to support population growth,” he said. “The capital city should reflect the aspirations of its people.”

He indicated that Accra must aspire to global standards if it is to remain competitive.

“Ghana deserves a city that is clean, that is efficient, livable and globally competitive,” he stated.

Turning to housing, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II described Ghana’s housing deficit, estimated at more than 1.8 million units, as a major development challenge with serious social and economic implications.

He noted that lower- and middle-income earners, who form the backbone of the economy, continue to struggle to secure decent accommodation.

“Ghana is facing a housing deficit of over 1.8 million units,” he said. “The lower and middle income groups, which are the backbone of our economy, struggle daily to find decent accommodation.”

He urged the government to strengthen partnerships with private developers through genuine public-private housing initiatives that focus on affordability, sustainability and proper location. Without decisive action, he warned, national productivity and social stability would remain at risk.

“Government must partner private developers in genuine public-private housing initiatives that are affordable, that are sustainable, well-located and built to modern standards,” the Ga Mantse said.

Watch the video below:

Accra must have a new master plan - His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II at the 3rd Ghana Construction Industry Excellence#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/iApys94q4T

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) December 18, 2025