Accra’s skyline is changing fast to enhance the status of the city as the political and administrative capital of the country.
Indeed, Accra and other parts of the country depict increased activities in the construction industry, such as road works and estate development.
The changing face of the skyline is not limited to the construction of office accommodation as a result of the show of more interest in the economy.
Buildings hitherto associated with the skylines of the metropolitan capitals of Europe and America are very common in Accra and other cities in the country.
Also, Accra is inundated with many apartment buildings, which had not been the case a few years ago, compelling some to ask whether there is a market for those apartments, as their prices are way beyond the pockets of many Ghanaians.
Be that as it may, we think the developments are good for the economy and the government should provide an enabling environment to get investors to put their money in our economy.
When the Accra Mall was added to investments in the city a few years ago, there was joy among a section of residents, as the facility offered the opportunity for the procurement of all kinds of domestic needs under one roof.
However, the opening of the Accra Mall came with its challenges, as it compounded the traffic situation at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
We have not been able to resolve the traffic situation in that area, many years after the mall opened its doors to the public.
The Daily Graphic thinks that despite the benefits of the mall, the frustrations of motorists who complain about the selection of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange for the shops should not be swept under the carpet.
We suggest that the statutory authorities, such as the district assemblies, the Town and Country Planning Department and the Lands Commission, should consider accessibility as a major condition for granting permits for the construction of commercial structures such as shopping malls.
It is rather unfortunate that in our part of the world, little learning takes place from previous experiences, so that we can avoid mistakes that retard our forward march.
Presently underway is the construction of a large edifice on the Oxford Street to be use as a shopping mall.
The 13-storey mall, being built by the Ghana Libyan Arab Holding Limited (GLAHCO) on the Oxford Street, will not ease the headache of commuters on that road and other streets in the area.
The management of the mall has tried to provide a 300-capacity parking lot as part of the facility, but it will not resolve the gridlock associated with the Oxford Street, especially on festive occasions such as Christmas, which is just around the corner.
Already, the management of the mall has started the usual public relations gimmick to try to allay the fears of users of the Oxford Street.
The underground parking will not resolve the traffic situation because the road in front of the mall is heavily congested every day and patrons of the mall are likely to use that road to get in and out of it.
The Daily Graphic calls on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Department of Urban Roads to meet with the owners of the mall to take steps to reduce the impact of the traffic congestion that may arise when the mall comes on full stream.
Meanwhile, we commend GLAHCO for its efforts at reducing the burden of shopping on housewives and all residents by adding to efforts at making life more comfortable for the people.
