Let’s be Intentional about The City’s Development: Cape Coast North MP on 8-Year Development Plan for Cape Coast

The Member of Parliament for the Cape Coast North constituency, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku has called on the people of Cape Coast to be intentional about the city’s development, in order to befit the ‘City of Firsts’ status.

“I don’t think we have been so intentional in making Cape Coast what it is. We have all the names; The City of Firsts, amongst others but apart from the Cape Coast Castle, what have we made of all the hidden treasures, including the history of ‘ Sir Jacob Wilson Sey, Philip Quaque among other significant monuments”, the MP queried.

Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku made these expressions at the launch of the ‘8-Year Development Plan for Cape Coast’ at the University of Cape Coast on Thursday, 9th October.

“We always say Cape Coast is the hub of tourism. Which tourist would come to a city where the roads are dark and they are greeted  with rubbish”?

He reiterated the need to be very intentional to change the narrative.

The Cape Coast North MP touched on the need for children in the city to benefit from the secondary schools in Cape Coast, which are mostly the ‘Grade A’ schools.

Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku further called for all hands on deck in a bid to place Cape Coast where it deserved.

The 8-Year Development Plan for Cape Coast was initiated by the Metropolitan Chief Executive, George Justice Arthur and prepared by a team of experts at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly.

It is intended to serve as a blueprint to guide the development agenda of the city for the next eight (8) years, beginning 2026 to 2033.

According to the Mayor, “the rationale for the document is to address the shortfalls inherent in the usual four-year medium-term development planning cycle, which seems to place limitations on programmes a local government could initiate and implement”.

“This Eight-Year Development Plan seeks to boldly position the city of Cape Coast on a pedestal that is at par with its sister cities across the globe. It is expected to take advantage of the international attractions to solicit the needed resources for the development of the Metropolis”.

Mr Arthur indicated that the Assembly had engaged a number of stakeholders, interest groups and individuals, whose ideas were captured into the document.

“The Plan is anchored on five strategic pillars, each designed to address pressing developmental needs, while positioning the metropolis for long term growth”, the Mayor underscored.

He mentioned the areas captured in the Plan as; Economic Growth and Job Creation, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Social and Human Capital Development, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action, and Good Governance and Institutional Strengthening.