Ghanaians have been giddy about the oil discovery on the Western shores of Ghana. Some are looking to work in the potential oil industry, while others are looking to do business around it. Some of the job expectations are unrealistic, people say. Some are sceptical how much money Ghana will really raise from the oil production and whether we might misuse it. The Western Region’ s traditional leaders want at least 10 % of all oil revenue and many Ghanaians don’ t like that idea. One thing many Ghanaians agree on is the fact that places like Sekondi and Takoradi are not going to be the same. They are about to be transformed. If you read the news or have asked Takoradi residents, Takoradi is transforming. We should watch, guide and tailor this transformation in the absolute best interest of Ghana’ s development. A recent news story mentions that The Western Regional Coordinating council has announced a number of measures being initiated to maximize the benefits of Ghana’ s oil and contain the influx of persons and the pressure that would be on infrastructure in the region, mainly Takoradi of course.
Source: http:// news. myjoyonline. com
WATCHING GUIDING AIDING
Gentrification
A socio-cultural displacement that results when wealthier people acquire property in low income and working class communities. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size decreases in the community, which sometimes results in the eviction of lowerincome residents because of increased rents, house prices, and property taxes.)
From speaking to some relatives and friends who live in Takoradi and know the place well, rent rates and housing prices are going up and skyrocketing. It could reach the same land ownership rates in Accra. Apparently, some room owners have started increasing the rent to exorbitant prices or are asking the tenants to move because they can charge‘ the new people moving to work in Takoradi’ much higher rates and that they can pay.
Yes, many international companies are starting to make their marks in Takoradi, They are employing their expatriate employees who have more buying power and other professionals trained at Tech( KNUST) and Legon or folks who’ ve been living in Accra. This is what folks will call‘ gentrification’ in other parts of the world. It’ s troubling for local residents. The new houses and apartments that will be built( thanks to the booming real estate business) will be out of the price range. I haven’ t heard the government talking about low-cost housing in these areas. Private sector want to make money.
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