Urbanisation in Developing Countries: Cape Coast City - Case Study Example

Urbanization in the Cape Coast of Ghana Introduction To enhance the faster achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGS), the United Nations, African union and the other international organizations have set up targets to reduce mortality rate and eliminate extreme poverty levels. However, the implementation of such policies only depend on the government involvement in the management of their cities most especially the ones that are still in the process of getting urbanized. With a case study of the Cape coast city of the democratic republic Ghana, there is evidence that the town is currently inhabited with a population of over 1 million people. With a consistent increase in migration from rural to the urban center, it is more likely that the future level of the city’s urbanization cannot be unprecedented. However, if it is well managed, Cape coast would offer vibrant opportunity for both social and economic development (White et al. 2008). The Cape coast city is one of the largest agglomerations of coastal cities in the democratic republic of Ghana. The town has been developed as a foremost industrial center in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1960, the Cape coast city has retained its popularity as a major commercial center in Ghana (White, et al. 2008). While Accra had a total population of a proximately 4 million people, Cape coast city was gaining an influx in population from the outskirts of the town centers, and the number could be approximated to 3 million. The widespread sea port locality of the region has enhanced the sudden development and transformation of the city from a simple harbor to a vibrant economic city. By late 1990s, the Cape coast city became an Industrial and manufactured hub of fish for the whole country of Ghana leading to a further influx in population by a quarter million in less than two years. Today, it is estimated that the Cape coast city of Ghana accounts for the national population of that country estimated at 46 million occupying the narrow coastal margin that measures over 70 kilometers. It is perceived that the coastal city contains the highest population in both East and western Africa that focuses along the coastal cities. According to the United Nations report of 1999, the city has been coupled by an expansive migration from rural to urban estates. Such n influx has lead to negative environmental impacts such as inadequate housing and criminal activities (White, et al., 2008) Credible sources have pointed out that the urban growth rate of the Cape coast city of Ghana is more than three percent when compared to other towns that fall within the same region. Despite the usual urban periphery, Cape coast city has witnessed massive movement from rural to urban cities in the republic of Ghana. Similarly, the city has equally witnessed extensive migration leading to piling of waste along the roads, rivers and some other open spaces within the city. Poor disposal of wastes has led to significant and health problems. However, if such wastes need to be collected and disposed of in a proper manner that is more sustainable to the environment (Hanna & Hanna, 2009). Reasons that led to urbanization of the Cape coast city Prayitno et al. (2014) points out that, most developing countries follow a usual pattern of migration from rural to urban centers that, is never a new phenomenon. There are several reasons for the society to move from the rural dwellings of Ghana to urban centers including the Cape coast city. Firstly, rural to urban migration in the democratic republic of Ghana entailed withstanding phenomenon and instigated by income variations. Moreover, people from rural suburbs were mostly motivated by the feeling that inhabitants of the Cape coast city were better off due to proximity to the port. Based on the 2009 United States statistics, wage disparity is classified as a major driving force to the urbanization of the Cape coast city of Ghana. Below are some reasons factors that have also contributed to the urbanization of the cape city. Lack of jobs in rural areas On the contrary to the thriving labor activities available in the port city of Cape Coast, there are inadequate employment opportunities in rural areas. As such a good number of men have been forced to migrate into the coastal City in search of green pasture that, has led to an influx and development of the urban state. Moreover, rural areas of Ghana are mainly characterized by agricultural based jobs are also not very promising due to unpredictable weather conditions and global warming. The weather conditions have led to a decrease in the demand of workforce for local farmers and agricultural based industries. Therefore, young, energetic men and women have resorted to seeking better opportunities in Cape coast city. Majority have resorted to doing business others enjoy the already established lucrative economy of the coastal town (Prayitno et al. 2014). Better educational facilities By early1960, the lucrative Cape coast city already had good schools and some of the best universities in the republic of Ghana such as the University of Cape Coast. On the other hand, inhabitants of the rural areas were associated by limited alternatives to access quality education. With respect to the above, youngest people were then pushed to seek for quality education available in the coastal city. Educational analysts have described rural education as difficult, inappropriate or outdated hence the review for youths to vacate to the coastal city in search of better education. A survey of immigrants from the east and central parts of Ghana has demonstrated that, most people who are pursuing higher education believe it is far much better to seek for education in the Cape coast city. The occurrence has been supported because it has already established better institutions of learning. Therefore, the above tremendous development of the student population enhanced the creation of better facilities, social amenities and other infrastructures thus leading to the urbanization of the region (Prayitno et al. 2014). Desires for expansive experiences Having been developed ahead of the other coastal cities, the town of Cape coast gained popularity due to the presence of the unique culture that was exhibited by foreigners, vibrant art, food and entertainment. As a result, both men and women from rural regions have been driven by the desire of lifestyle of the coastal that cannot be accessed within their hometowns. Ultimately, the Cape coast city of Ghana has also gained popularity as the tourism triangle thus majority has developed desire to encounter the goodies that are brought by tourists from different parts of the world. Besides, the region has been endowed with different kinds of nature and attraction sceneries such as the historical attraction Elmina that is recognized as the United States center of scientific attraction. Above all, majority of the rural inhabitants of Ghana felt that there is a need to adopt the good social life at the Cape coast. It, therefore, led to the development of the population at the coastal region (Prayitno et al. 2014). Industrialization Given that the transport costs for good a board overseas in the democratic republic of Ghana is mainly influenced by the coastal hub located in the port of Kumasi and the Cape coast city. As such, the city was in a better position to develop rapidly as a major industrial center for global products. Moreover, increase in wages within pacific region and the introduction of incentives by the government of Ghana also attracted the setting up of industries at the Cape coast city of Ghana. Besides, the city attracted rapid development center that was meant to increase the management and tackle inefficiencies that are associated by ports of entries. With the coming up of food manufacturing industries and fish processing plant, there was a need for adequate labor force. The increased labor force has called for a population demanding for dwelling units. Moreover, it has enhanced the development of housing, roads, lighting systems and other social amenities that are characterized with urban life (Prayitno et al. 2014). Better way of life Despite many theories that have led to the urbanization of the Cape coast city of Ghana, better life that are inhibited by urban dwellers has attracted individual from their rural their homesteads to seek for better town life. The above phenomenon has been embraced by the Cape coast city leading to an increase in the income per capita. Furthermore, curiosity and desire the citizens of Ghana inhabiting rural regions has been identified as major push factor for young people from rural regions to seek leisure at the Cape coast city. As the migration from rural to the coastal region has provided sufficient response towards the growth and cosmopolitanism of the port city (AGFE & UNHP, 2007). Better healthcare opportunities One of the factors that led to urbanization of urbanization of Cape coast city is better medical facility. The city’s strategic location along the coastal line has led to a good cosmologies region for different ethnicity some of which are Asian, who have a long history of the medical facility and healthcare provisions. As such, majority were forced to vacate their rural residences and move into the city in search of better medical facility. Latest investigations have also showed that it is within the understanding of many people that better medical care is a proper solution to ill effects. Therefore, the movement from various rural centers to the Cape coast city was a sure way to reduce mortality rate and increase morbidity within the town center (AGFE & UNHP, 2007). Consequences of the urbanization of the Cape coast city Urbanization is a common scenario in every country across the world. In most third world countries, such as Ghana, the predominant type of urbanization has mainly been characterized by people moving from rural areas to town centers leading to urbanization. It is projected that in the next 20 to 30 years, the Cape coast city of Ghana will not just experience positive impacts that come with urbanization. However, there will also be an upsurge of negativity of dense population and socioeconomic activity of any urban dwelling. The Cape coast city has continued to be thronged by an influx in population coming from various villages leading to a depressed state of life and deplorable lifestyles (Falola & Salm, 2004). According to Falola & Salm, (2004), one of the possible impacts that have been felt by the urbanization of the cape coast city is an excessive influx in population. The influx has led to overcrowding within the port city of Ghana. However, the problem of overgrowing is so much justified because the city developed so rapidly such that it has not given enough time for planning and the development of the facilities to accommodate the rise in population. Due to the extreme rate of urbanization, there are detrimental impacts that have been caused to the economy. Moreover, it is that if the situation continues then some of the smaller communities exhibiting the port may get assimilated and finally ceases to exist. However, some of the major consequences that have risen as a result of the urbanization of the Cape coast city include Increased rate of crime The urbanization of the Cape coast city of Ghana has created many processes that lead to an increased crime rate that did not exist in the past. Most criminal investigation journal that found in the public library Ghana contains evidence that crime and urbanization comes in handy. The influx in population at the Cape coast city has led to the generation of a jobless class who has then resorted into crime to earn their way of life. In the past when the population of the city was still manageable, majority of the city residences were engaged in different activities to sustain a living. However, the upsurge in population has constrained the available job opportunities hence creating a vacuum of joblessness. As such, there is an increase in mugging, theft and a hostile community who forcefully survive on other people’s properties (Falola & Salm, 2004). Concentration of services and the other facilities With the concentration and growing of population in the Cape coast city, there has been a rapid change in center of growth and governance. As such, the city has been constrained of services such as housing facilities, medical and water supply. According to the United Nations census of 2009, Cape coast city is the most urbanized port of entry in Ghana. Therefore, the upsurge in population has caused a deficiency in housing units especially along the border with Kumasi where the rental have gone up by 260% in the past ten years. Besides, the rapid rise in population has not given adequate time for planning thus the sewer lines, roads among other facilities have been constrained. The above effects have led to water scarcity and scanty disposal of wastes that increases susceptibility to health hazards and outbreak of diseases (Knight, 2010). Decreased employment opportunities Urbanization in the Cape coast city of Ghana has immensely contributed to an increase in the level of unemployment not only to the two port cities but also to other regions within its environs. Due to an increase in push of people from rural regions to the coastal city, there is an influx in the labor force such that the city industrial center has resorted to low cost of labor. Besides, majority with better qualifications have been forced to seek other alternatives such as casual labors in the construction units. Moreover, the increase in the number of universities in the region has also led to passing out of qualified graduates every year with very minimal vacancies for absorption (Knight, 2010). Environmental impact There is a considerable impact to rapid growth in population in relation to global health, food security and environmental transformation. Credible sources have pointed out that the urbanization of the Cape coast city has come contributed various negativities to the environment. It has, therefore, become clear that setting up of the cost port city has threatens the future and security of the coastal habitats (Knight, 2010). Solutions to problems of the urban city of the cape coast The paper has identified several hitches that are associated with the Cape coast cities which are more similar to are more similar to most of the urban centers in sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, the city has been characterized by massive destruction of the heartland that has been preserved for cultivation and crowding of parks. As such, it has led to an increment in the cost to aid the preservation of sanitation and control of institutions and sewer line management. Consequently, it is advisable for the government to come up with various measures that are targeted to decrease the increasing urbanization for the long run benefit of the community and the entire nation. As such, it is advisable for the government to provide to preserve a reasonable size of land for development and extension of urban growth boundaries (Spence, Annez & Buckley, 2009). Besides, the government should also invigorate developed areas so as to attract new institutions and social amenities. Ultimately, the government of Ghana should provide sufficient housing in the suburbs of the cape coast city as it will solve the problem of the emergence of slum dwellings. Conclusion The Cape coast city has been identified as one of the oldest cities in the democratic republic of Ghana. Cape coast has existence for over three decades thus it is considered as lucrative urban centers that supply the economy of Ghana because it is strategically located at port. 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