The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, has stated that the assembly is determined to transform and accelerate development in the city.
He described the city as a historic city and a metropolitan area with significant potential.
He was speaking during the second edition of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly eight-year Development Plan Forum and Fundraising to mobilise support and strategic partnerships for the implementation of projects under its 2026–2033 development agenda.
The forum brought together key stakeholders, including public officials, private sector players, development partners and other individuals interested in the development of the metropolis.
Priority projects
Mr Arthur said the assembly had identified a number of priority projects, including the Professor Mills Library, redevelopment of the Cape Coast Metro Hospital, Children's Park, the proposed Black Museum and the site where the Bond of 1844 was signed for development.
He said the assembly was also working to make the Fosu Lagoon and its surroundings more attractive and create an environment that would encourage the development of more hotels, enabling tourists to stay longer and spend more time in the metropolis.
The MCE said while most of the projects were receiving attention, the redevelopment of the Metro Hospital and the museum would require public-private partnerships.
He said the assembly was also expecting about GH¢30 million to support the completion of the Ankaful Market and construction of a new ultra-modern market for Cape Coast North.
Other projects, he said, included a fish-processing factory, a citrus factory, a lorry park and a water factory to be known as Cape Coast Pure Water.
Mr Arthur acknowledged concerns over unemployment and said the assembly was collaborating with the University of Cape Coast and Cape Coast Technical University to build the entrepreneurial and technical capacities of young people.
MP supports
The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, said the development plan was necessary to change the narrative about development in the metropolis.
He said he had taken particular interest in sports and the proposed Children's Park, which he believed could contribute to the development of young people.
On education, the MP expressed concern about the performance of children at the basic-school level, saying the situation affected their chances of gaining admission to some of the metropolis' renowned senior high schools.
He called for efforts to identify challenges relating to infrastructure, teachers, teaching, learning materials and teaching methods.
Community partners fund
The Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund, Michael Harry Yamson, said the proposed Community Partners Fund would mobilise resources from individuals, businesses, Ghanaians in the diaspora and international organisations to support local development.
He said the fund would promote private investment in public infrastructure, with the assembly contributing resources such as land and regulatory support while private partners provided capital and expertise.
He noted that the projects being considered for private participation included technology and agro-processing investments, a vocational school, libraries, markets and a data centre.
