Accra, July 12, GNA – For the second time in a year, world renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs has held discussions with President John Evans Atta Mills on the proposed development of Accra into a ‘millennium city’, during which President Mills lauded efforts so far made on the project. President Mills called for more cooperation among the partners for the success of the project.
Dr Sachs, who is the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University in the United States, is spearheading the project, which is being undertaken in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Authority. Dr Sachs, who called on President Mills on Monday at the Osu Castle in Accra, explained to the President that a lot of work had gone into the planning of the implementation stage of the project, which is almost ready for take-off.
The project aims among other things to improve supply of water, sanitation, road and transportation, health delivery and education, befitting a developed modern city. The project is believed to attract more investments into the country. President Mills thanked Dr Sachs and his team for their contribution to the development process in Ghana, and assured them of government cooperation.
“This is the kind of support we need,” he told the group. Since the launching in January this year, a number of areas in Accra including James Town, Mamobi, Mamprobi, new and old Dansoman, New Town, Osu and Adabraka have been earmarked for upgrading under the project.
“This means that about 90 per cent of Accra is covered under the project,” Dr Sachs said, adding that a team from the Columbia University would soon be in the country to liaise with local development agencies to study the existing Accra development plans “so that we don’t reinvent the wheel.”
Mr Alfred Vanderpuije, Mayor of Accra who accompanied the group, announced that as part of the project implementation process, an Accra Development Summit would be held in New York in May next year, to raise funds for the project. 12 July 10
Source: GhanaWeb
