Rural/Urban migration bane of slums

Mr. Samuel Sarpong, the Ashanti regional minister, says the movement of people from rural areas to the urban centres in search for non-existing jobs is the cause of slums in Ghana.

He said the population of Kumasi alone is about two million people, which puts pressure on the infrastructure and social amenities, therefore, creating slums in the city.

Mr. Sarpong was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at the United Nations Habitat 7th World Urban Forum in Medellin Colombia on Wednesday.

He said the politicisation of important issues in Ghana is one of the major problems that set back the country's development; adding, "Our institutions must be working without any politics.

It is an offence for people to build on waterways in Ghana, but people build on waterways with impunity with no respect for our laws."

The Regional Minister said there is the need for uniformity and equal disbursement of public funds and state houses in all parts of the country to reduce rural-urban migration, which is the major cause of slums in our cities.

He said it took many countries some number of years to develop their cities which Medellin, Colombia is of no exception.

The forum is on the theme: Urban Equity in Development Cities for Life, WUF7 will focus on seeking ways to strengthen and develop institutional framework for sustainable urban development and housing.

It will also look at progress in understanding the role of local governments in drafting proposals and policies for urban development.