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| Accra Gears Up For Ghana @ 50 |
2/28/2007 |
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Monday, 26 February 2007
A number of projects are being executed in the Accra metropolis as part of plans and programmes to turn the physical and aesthetic outlook of the city for the country’s 50th independence anniversary. Various organisations including the Ghana at 50 Secretariat, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) are funding these projects.
Among the projects being undertaken by the Ghana at 50 Secretariat are the rehabilitation of the Independence Square, Freedom and Justice Arch and the Military Monument at the 28th February Crossroad. The Project Officer in charge of Public Affairs at the secretariat, Mr Henry Wellington Okyne said, the secretariat was funding the construction of 10 jubilee rest stops on major highways throughout the country, adding that the projects were at various stages of completion. The Very Important Person (VIP) lounge at the Kotoka International Airport is also being rehabilitated.
Mr Okyne, however, could neither immediately give the cost of the projects, nor could he mention the exact locations where the projects were being undertaken.
Some residents have already been gripped by the jubilee anniversary fever as they have displayed paraphernalia including Ghana flags on their vehicles, while others are seen wearing clothes made from the colours of the Ghana flag, which are red, gold and green with a black star in the middle.
One could also get bangles, hats, key holders and other items which have all been made with similar colours. According to Mr Okyne, although the secretariat was producing some of the paraphernalia, there were other individuals and companies who were manufacturing these items. The AMA has also initiated a number of projects and programmes to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the thousands of people who will throng the city for the jubilee celebrations.
Some of the programmes are the introduction of security numbers which are embossed on taxis operating in the metropolis, the wearing of uniforms by all taxi drivers to give them a professional look, clearing of hawkers, petty traders and street vendors from unauthorised selling points to ease congestion and enhance the flow and movement of human and vehicular traffic, as well as cleaning and rehabilitation of the Agbogbloshie Market.
The Department of Parks and Gardens in collaboration with the AMA and with support from some private companies such as Scancom Ghana Limited, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Forwin Ghana Limited, and Autoparts Ghana Limited is undertaking beautification projects on all the ceremonial roads in the city and five roundabouts. This involves landscaping and planting of ornamental plants on the medians of the major roads, as well as the rehabilitation of some selected roundabouts in the capital.
The Obetsebi Lamptey and the Danquah circles rehabilitation works, which started last year, have been completed but yet to be inaugurated, while that of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle was yet to be completed at the time of filing this report.
The Metro Director of the Department of Parks and Gardens, Mr Cefas Osafo, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, also cited the Akuafo intersection near the 37 Military Hospital and the Airport Roundabout as new projects which the department was working on with financial support from Lintax Ghana Limited.D. Graphic
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