The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, has pledged to restore 70% of Accra’s streetlights within the next 50 days as part of efforts to enhance security and improve visibility in the city. She emphasized that addressing the issue of faulty streetlights is one of her top priorities, recognizing the crucial role adequate lighting plays in reducing crime and ensuring safer streets for residents.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Monday, February 3, Ocloo reaffirmed her commitment to improving the capital’s infrastructure, highlighting that well-lit streets are essential for both security and urban development. She assured the public that within her first 50 days in office, significant progress would be made to restore functionality to a majority of the city’s non-operational streetlights.
“In fact, within 50 days in office, all these things should be fixed. I will make sure that at least 70 percent of the streetlights should be fixed,” she stated, stressing the urgency of the project.
To achieve this goal, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration with the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). She assured that her office would work closely with local authorities to ensure swift action is taken, adding that maintaining urban infrastructure requires a collective effort from both government institutions and community stakeholders.
Beyond street lighting, Ocloo outlined security and sanitation as her key focus areas for the capital city. She acknowledged that the current state of sanitation in Accra requires immediate attention and called for a renewed commitment to keeping the city clean. As part of her broader vision for the region, she announced the reintroduction of the Regional Sanitation Day, an initiative aimed at promoting regular communal cleaning exercises to tackle waste management issues.
The Minister believes that improving sanitation is crucial for public health and urban development, stressing that achieving a cleaner city would require the active participation of all residents, including businesses, traditional authorities, and local assemblies. To encourage competition and sustained effort, she also unveiled plans for an award scheme to recognize and reward the cleanest city within the Greater Accra Region.
In her first meeting with the management and staff of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Ocloo reiterated her commitment to the new government’s “Resetting Agenda,” which aims to transform municipal and district assemblies into self-sustaining entities. She emphasized that local governance should be strengthened to ensure efficient service delivery, revenue generation, and long-term development.
To support this vision, she expressed her intention to work closely with traditional authorities and religious organizations to deepen decentralization and participatory governance. She noted that chiefs, opinion leaders, and faith-based groups hold significant influence in their respective communities and can play a vital role in promoting civic responsibility and community-led development initiatives.
The Minister’s pledge to restore Accra’s streetlights comes at a critical time when concerns over urban security have heightened. Many residents have raised issues about poorly lit streets, which have contributed to an increase in crime, including robbery and other unlawful activities. The absence of functional streetlights has also posed dangers to motorists and pedestrians, leading to accidents in some areas.
Security experts have long advocated for well-lit urban spaces as a key strategy in crime prevention. Studies have shown that improved street lighting reduces criminal activities and enhances the overall sense of safety within communities. By prioritizing the restoration of streetlights, Ocloo aims to create a safer and more secure environment for residents, businesses, and visitors in the capital.
While the Minister’s commitment has been welcomed by many, there are concerns about the sustainability of these efforts. In the past, similar initiatives have been launched, but the lack of proper maintenance and consistent funding has led to a gradual decline in the functionality of streetlights. Ocloo assured that her administration would implement a maintenance strategy to ensure the longevity of the restored lighting infrastructure.
A major component of this strategy will be the integration of modern technology, such as energy-efficient LED lights and solar-powered streetlights, to reduce operational costs and promote environmental sustainability. The Minister indicated that discussions are underway with relevant agencies and stakeholders to explore the feasibility of transitioning from traditional street lighting systems to more sustainable alternatives.
Beyond infrastructure, Ocloo’s broader vision for Accra aligns with the government’s agenda to reset and revitalize the capital city. Her plan to reintroduce the Regional Sanitation Day is expected to address long-standing waste management challenges. The initiative, which previously encouraged community participation in cleaning exercises, had received mixed reactions in the past due to issues of enforcement and logistical support. However, Ocloo’s renewed approach seeks to institutionalize it as a structured program, backed by a strong enforcement mechanism and incentives to encourage widespread participation.
The proposed award scheme for the cleanest city within the region is also aimed at motivating assemblies to prioritize sanitation. By introducing a competitive element, the Minister hopes to instill a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among local government authorities.
In addition to sanitation and infrastructure development, Ocloo’s leadership style emphasizes inclusivity and collaboration. Her decision to work closely with traditional authorities and religious leaders reflects her understanding of the cultural and social dynamics of governance in Ghana. Chiefs and religious organizations wield considerable influence, and their involvement in local governance can help drive behavioral change, foster civic engagement, and enhance policy implementation at the grassroots level.
The Minister’s commitment to deepening decentralization also ties into broader national efforts to empower local governments and enhance service delivery. She acknowledged that for municipal and district assemblies to be effective, they must be given the necessary autonomy, resources, and capacity to manage their own affairs. Strengthening local governance structures will not only improve service delivery but also promote development that is tailored to the unique needs of individual communities.
As Linda Akweley Ocloo embarks on this ambitious agenda, many will be watching to see how effectively her administration delivers on these promises. The next 50 days will serve as a crucial test of her ability to implement tangible change, particularly in the restoration of streetlights. If successfully executed, her efforts could set a positive precedent for urban management in Accra and serve as a model for other regions.
Ultimately, the success of these initiatives will depend on strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustained public engagement. By prioritizing security, sanitation, and infrastructure development, Ocloo has positioned herself as a proactive and results-driven leader committed to improving the lives of residents in the Greater Accra Region. Whether she can maintain momentum and address the long-standing challenges of the capital remains to be seen, but her vision has undoubtedly set the stage for transformative governance in Accra.
