Accra, Ghana: Greening and Beautification Project

The Challenge

The municipality identified the value in greening public spaces for air quality, to prevent flooding through more permeable spaces, and for biodiversity protection. However, the resource constraints in a context of multiple pressing issues created a serious challenge to achieve this. 

How it works

The project was launched with an “adopt a space” campaign. This encouraged private stakeholders, particularly banks, to submit proposals for greening of a strategic public space, usually around their place of business. 

Once a design is finalised, an MOU is signed between the city and the company. The companies provide the financing and procure contractors to do the work. The companies also maintain the space after completion.

This project is helping the city achieve its sustainability objectives, while improving the space around the company offices. The municipality is now applying similar approaches in public buildings, such as rooftop urban farming.

Lessons

Greening contributes to beautifying the city and these visible results can show concrete ways for the city and private sector to collaborate. It also helps to build public support, which in turn drives more companies to invest. 

As is evident in Accra, to do this cities can focus on industries such as banks that have a vested interest in their corporate standing and are increasingly concerned about climate impacts on their industry.