Kumasi Mayor Calls for Stakeholder's Support for His Vision
He made the call during the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly's infrastructure and Green Action Plan seminar held at the Golden Tulip on Tuesday 22nd July 2013. The Seminar was attended by stakeholders including the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku, the Akyempemhene Oheneba Adusei Poku, Ghana Airports Company Ltd represented by their Managing Director, Madam Doreen Owusu Fianko, Forestry Commission, some Banks, Arup, KNUST, the Media, and JustGhana Ltd.
KMA recently signed an agreement with one of the stakeholders, JustGhana, to establish a model for regeneration, based on involvement of the private sector with enterprises in the city, to create a series of public-private partnerships (PPP).
Under this arrangement, land and local resources will be provided by KMA and its associated bodies. Bearing in mind the historic links between Kumasi and the UK, JustGhana will seek to foster the involvement of financial sponsorship from British companies such as Shell, Diaggeo, Standard Chartered, Barclays Bank, Ghana Commercial Bank and Vodafone.
Addressing the gathering, the Mayor indicated that, the KMA- JustGhana agreement sets out a project approval process and project implementation framework with JustGhana playing a key role to ensure successful execution of projects by KMA.
According to Hon. Kojo Bonsu, the priority projects under the programme would include Kumasi's entry to the World Cities Network, One million tree planting and landscaping, Kumasi Aerotropolis (Airport City Strategic Development Framework), Wi-Fi Capital of West Africa and public Transport/ Bus Rapid Transit, Cycling and Pedestrianisation.
The Mayor also noted that like other urban cities, Kumasi is faced with a lot of challenges in the field of infrastructure, waste management, traffic congestion and armed robbery amongst others.
In a presentation by a three - man team from JustGhana, they indicated that once a project is approved the implementation of the project could be carried out by either of the following options:
Under the first option, KMA would appoint JustGhana to procure and implement agreed projects through contractors and/or sponsors.
With regards to the second option, KMA would implement the agreed projects by entering into contracts directly with contractors and appoint JustGhana as consultants/advisors.
Long term solution to the development of goods and services to the local community and the attraction of external expertise and resources to ensure timely delivery of projects on cost and high standard were the two opportunities mentioned.
Upon discussion, it came to light that the two implementation options should be accepted on the grounds that where the projects concerned are of complex nature and requires heavy investment, the first option would be applied whereas the second option would be adopted for small and less complex projects.
Another major presentation made, was on Kumasi Aerotropolis by Peter Budd, an initiative which forms part of the proposed 10 Regional Airport construction project to accommodate the growing need of air transport in Ghana and West African sub-region. Aerotropolis is an aviation-linked urban setting consisting of an airport surrounded by acres of light industrial space, aviation science research center, office space, hotel accommodations, restaurants, medical facilities, parks, entertainment and recreational centers among others.
The investors who have also endorsed the plan by the Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Kojo Bonsu to build the airport city, noted that the success of the initiative would depend on strategic government policies and input from other key stakeholders.
The chairman for the seminar, the Akyempemhene Oheneba Adusei Poku, also reiterated that for the programme to yield positive results, it would depend solely on the full collaboration of all stakeholders.
Madam Doreen Owusu Fianko, the Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited in her speech pledged support for the Mayor's One million tree planting initiative. She also highlighted on the on-going Kumasi airport rehabilitation, stating that the rehabilitation will be in three phases; Rehabilitation and extension of runways, construction of a second runway and Brand new terminal as well as a large car park.