By Zobia Zulfqar 
Ghana’s ability to create cities that attract investment and support long-term economic growth will depend largely on the choices it makes today, according to the Managing Director of LMI Homes Limited, Kofi Adabor Ofori-Amanfo.
He believes the country cannot rely on organic expansion or fragmented development efforts if it wants to establish urban centres that are globally competitive. Instead, Ghana needs intentional planning backed by a clear vision and coordinated action.
Mr Ofori-Amanfo made these remarks during the second Roundtable Discussion of the 2026 Citi Business Festival, where experts and business leaders gathered to discuss how infrastructure, innovation, and investment can contribute to sustainable economic development.
The session focused on the theme, “Building Competitive Cities: Infrastructure, Innovation and Investment for Sustainable Economic Growth.”
According to the LMI Homes boss, the future success of Ghana’s cities will depend on thoughtful decision making rather than chance. He explained that many of the world’s most successful urban centres were shaped through strategic planning and deliberate investments over time.
As Ghana continues to urbanise, he said there is a growing need for a more structured approach to development that aligns infrastructure projects, investment priorities, and the broader needs of communities.
He noted that intentional planning creates cities that are better positioned to attract businesses, encourage innovation, and improve the everyday lives of residents.
“Ghana has reached a point where we have to think carefully about the kind of cities we want to build,” he said. “Development should not happen without direction. It should be guided by purpose and long term objectives.”
Mr Ofori-Amanfo stressed that a lack of coordination could undermine efforts to achieve sustainable urban growth. Without proper planning, cities may struggle to provide the infrastructure and opportunities needed to support expanding populations and economic activity.
Drawing from projects being undertaken by LMI Homes, he pointed to the company’s developments as examples of what intentional planning looks like in practice.
He cited the ongoing work at Dawa and upcoming plans for Salemi, explaining that both initiatives are being implemented with clearly defined goals and development strategies.
“Competitive cities don’t just happen by accident. They are very intentional,” he said. “What we are doing even at Dawa is very intentional. What we’ll be doing in Salemi is very intentional and I believe that where we are as a nation we should be very intentional about all the planning and development we want to do.”
His comments add to ongoing conversations about the future of urban development in Ghana. With cities expanding rapidly, there have been increasing calls for development models that prioritise efficiency, investment readiness, and sustainability.
Mr Ofori-Amanfo urged both public and private stakeholders to embrace collaboration in shaping the country’s urban future. He argued that governments, businesses, investors, and communities all have a role to play in creating cities capable of competing on a regional and global scale.
He also encouraged decision makers to adopt development strategies that go beyond immediate needs and focus on long term outcomes that benefit future generations.
For Ghana, the challenge is no longer simply accommodating urban growth. The greater task is ensuring that growth is planned in a way that creates opportunity, strengthens infrastructure, and enhances quality of life.
Mr Ofori-Amanfo’s message was straightforward. Competitive cities are built through vision, discipline, and intentional action. If Ghana hopes to create thriving urban centres that support sustainable economic progress, planning must become a national priority rather than an afterthought.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GujbVAqmafc