Accra: Mr. John Darko, a New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Suame, has proposed that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) make tree planting and green landscaping a condition for issuing building permits. He emphasized that this policy would not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of communities but also act as a natural barrier against environmental risks such as flooding.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Darko highlighted the importance of promoting green urban development to boost environmental sustainability and climate resilience. His remarks were made during a discussion about the necessity of investing in greening Ghana's urban areas.
Mr. Darko pointed out that many homes in the country lack trees or grass, contrary to practices in other regions where greening is compulsory for homeowners. The absence of such regulations in Ghana contributes to flooding, as there is little vegetation to absorb rainwater in most residential areas.
Instead of punitive measures, Mr. Darko advocated for encouraging citizens to see the benefits of greening their environments. He proposed several measures, including requiring building permit applicants to commit to tree planting or maintaining green lawns, empowering Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to enforce greening standards, and adopting persuasive policies to motivate citizens to maintain green spaces.
