Accra is in the middle of a transformation. From massive new cities on the outskirts to green public spaces in the city centre, the way Accra’s neighbourhoods are being planned and built is changing. This ASJ article looks at the major projects and policy shifts that will shape where and how Accra’s residents will live in the coming years.
Introduction: A City at a Crossroads
Ghana’s housing deficit is estimated at over 1.8 million units, and the demand continues to rise due to population growth and rural-urban migration . With more than 58 percent of Ghana’s population now living in urban areas, the pressure on Accra’s housing and infrastructure is immense . The private sector currently delivers nearly 90 percent of housing, making collaboration between government and developers critical .
Several major projects are underway or being planned that will shape Accra’s neighbourhoods for decades. These fall into three categories: creating entirely new cities to decongest Accra, redeveloping existing neighbourhoods with modern housing and infrastructure, and greening public spaces to make the city more liveable.
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1. New Cities to Decongest Accra
The Green Digital City
Following the devastating June 2026 floods that claimed lives and displaced hundreds, President John Dramani Mahama announced a long-term plan to decongest Accra . The proposed Green Digital City is intended to reduce pressure on the capital by relocating government institutions and creating a new centre for economic activity outside Accra . The proposed city will cover land extending from the Accra Plains towards parts of the Eastern and Volta Regions .
President Mahama described the project as a 20-year solution that would see government offices and agencies relocated, easing congestion and promoting planned urban expansion . A feasibility study is currently being prepared, and once designs are complete, land will be allocated for residential, commercial, and institutional purposes .
The Integrated Ga-Gbese Korle Smart City
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly is also advancing the Integrated Ga-Gbese Korle Smart City and Beach Development Project, a massive redevelopment of the Korle Lagoon area and surrounding communities . This $17 billion public-private partnership will be developed in specialised zones and will include :
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A commercial business enclave
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A financial and corporate district
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Recreational and marina facilities
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Sea defence and breakwater infrastructure
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A community health corridor
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A high bridge across the lagoon
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Affordable housing units
The project is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs upon completion, with the first phase estimated to cost $700 million . AMA Mayor Michael Allotey has confirmed that some residents within the project corridors will need to be relocated, with land at Adjen Kotoku being considered for resettlement .
The Marine Drive Waterfront Project
The Marine Drive Project, a 241-acre waterfront redevelopment, is also being revived . The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, announced that a new board and steering committee have been constituted to accelerate its implementation . The government is engaging financial institutions and prospective investors to reopen funding channels through public-private partnerships .
The project aims to transform Accra’s waterfront into a world-class tourism and cultural hub, create an iconic city skyline, and provide infrastructure to support Ghana’s growing creative industries . It will be implemented in phases, with early attention given to public promenades, cultural spaces, and mixed-use precincts .
2. Expanding Housing Stock in Existing and New Areas
The EMINSANG NDCH Project
EMINSANG Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with international partners to kick-start the first phase of a large-scale affordable housing development at Osudoku in the Greater Accra Region . The NDCH initiative will initially deliver 20,000 housing units, with a broader master plan targeting 60,000 units comprising studio apartments and one- to three-bedroom condominiums .
The project is being developed on 300 acres of land and will feature hospitals, schools, electric vehicle parking, shopping malls, and recreational centres . The group is also selling serviced plots for four- and five-bedroom villas on an adjoining 100-acre site . EMINSANG is partnering with major international construction firms, including China Railway 20th Bureau Corporation and Xinjiang Beixin International Engineering Construction Group . The company is targeting government workers, private sector employees, and the Ghanaian diaspora, with flexible long-term payment plans of up to 25 years .
New Housing Developments in Established Neighbourhoods
In Labone, one of Accra’s most desirable residential neighbourhoods, McLaren Developers has unveiled plans for the McLaren Residence, a boutique project comprising 40 one-bedroom apartments . The development is designed to cater to young professionals, property investors, and individuals seeking compact, high-end living spaces within the capital’s prime districts . The project reflects shifting urban living trends where demand for efficient, well-located housing continues to rise .
Government Housing Reforms
At the Africa Real Estate Festival 2026, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, outlined a series of government reforms to transform the housing sector :
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The National Affordable Housing Programme is being repositioned to support large-scale, mixed-income housing through public-private partnerships
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The District Housing Programme is decentralising housing delivery so every district contributes to reducing the national deficit
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The Rent Act is under review to improve fairness, strengthen tenant protection, and create a more stable rental market
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Land administration reforms are being advanced to improve land acquisition and strengthen title security
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The use of local building materials and green construction methods is being promoted to cut costs and support sustainability
3. Greening Public Spaces and Climate Resilience
Youth-Led Climate Action Projects
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, launched the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) to advance youth-led climate resilience and greening initiatives . Projects include:
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The ‘Apata’ Initiative at Accra Academy: cooling sheds constructed from reusable materials to provide relief from high temperatures
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The Tree Guardians Project in Jamestown: promoting environmental restoration and community pride
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A community green park at Mamprobi: providing shade, seating, and social interaction
Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey commended the youth groups, describing their work as “a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges facing Accra’s extreme heat” .
The Kinbu Triangle Green Landmark
Margins ID Group, in partnership with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, unveiled the refurbished Kinbu Triangle Green Landmark in December 2025 . The project transformed a busy commercial corridor into a climate-resilient public space featuring native, drought-resistant landscaping and pedestrian-friendly elements aimed at lowering ambient temperatures .
Moses Baiden Jnr, CEO of Margins ID Group, described the project as an example of “corporate social responsibility that is practical, visible, and impactful” . The project features an automated irrigation system, solar-powered lighting with 300-watt panels, and CCTV cameras for security . It was completed in just 30 days .
4. The AMA’s Medium-Term Development Plan
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly is finalising its Medium-Term Development Plan for 2026–2029, which envisions Accra as a “Smart, Safe, and Climate-Resilient City with Secured Jobs and Prosperity for All” . The plan aligns with the national “Resetting Ghana Agenda” and focuses on five key development dimensions: economic development, social development, environmental and human settlement management, governance, institutional development, and international relations .
Community engagements identified pressing local challenges: poor roads, flooding, youth unemployment, open defecation, drug abuse, prostitution, poor security in schools, malfunctioning traffic lights, and coastal erosion .
Conclusion: Building the Future
The future of neighbourhood development in Accra is being shaped by a combination of government policy, private sector investment, and community action. The vision is for a more planned, sustainable, and liveable city—one where growth is managed, public spaces are restored, and residents have access to affordable housing.
The challenge is significant. The housing deficit is enormous, infrastructure is under pressure, and climate resilience is urgent. But the projects and policies now in motion provide a roadmap for how Accra could look in the coming decades. As the AREF Founder said: “The most powerful signal a government can send is not just incentives, but certainty” . The future is being planned, but its success depends on collective action, enforcement, and political will.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Housing Deficit | 1.8 million units |
| Urban Population | 58% of Ghana’s population |
| Private Sector Housing Share | Nearly 90% |
| Green Digital City | Proposed new city outside Accra, 20-year plan |
| Korle Smart City Cost | $17 billion total; $700 million first phase |
| Marine Drive Project | 241-acre waterfront redevelopment |
| NDCH Housing Units | 20,000 units first phase; 60,000 units total |
| Kinbu Triangle | Completed in 30 days, features solar lighting, CCTV, automated irrigation |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Green Digital City project?
It is a proposed new city outside Accra where government offices and agencies will be relocated to ease congestion in the capital. A feasibility study is underway .
2. What is the NDCH project?
EMINSANG Group’s New Development Community Homes initiative aims to deliver 20,000 housing units in the first phase at Osudoku, with a total target of 60,000 units .
3. What is the Korle Smart City project?
A $17 billion public-private partnership to redevelop the Korle Lagoon area and surrounding communities, featuring commercial, financial, and recreational zones, a health corridor, and affordable housing .
4. What is the Marine Drive Project?
A 241-acre waterfront redevelopment project to transform Accra’s coastline into a world-class tourism and cultural hub. The government is reviving the project with new board and steering committee .
5. What is the AMA’s Medium-Term Development Plan?
The AMA’s plan for 2026–2029 envisions Accra as a “Smart, Safe, and Climate-Resilient City” and focuses on economic development, social development, environmental management, and governance .
6. What is the Kinbu Triangle Green Landmark?
A climate-resilient public space in the central business district, featuring native landscaping, solar-powered lighting, and CCTV. It was a public-private partnership delivered in 30 days .
7. What government reforms are being made for housing?
Reforms include repositioning the National Affordable Housing Programme, decentralising housing delivery, reviewing the Rent Act, advancing land administration reforms, and promoting local building materials
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
