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Kofi Kekeli Amedzro, Ghanaian, Graduating Class of 2012.
Kofi Kekeli Amedzro is an urban (development) planner who currently works with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (head office) in Accra, Ghana. Before joining the Authority, I worked with COWI (Danish International Development Consultancy and Engineering firm) in the preparation of Ghana’s National Spatial Development Framework (2015-2035). I worked on the Ghana Infrastructure Plan particularly on the Human Settlements, education, health infrastructure as well as the correctional facilities sector. I assisted the Ministries of Works and Housing on developing the implementation plan for Ghana’s Housing Policy. I am currently the chairperson of the Big and Spatial Data working group at the Ghana Statistical Service working on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Ghana. I am also a member of the technical team on Local Economic Development (LED) with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
I have been collaborating with International Development Organizations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies on urban planning and development issues by providing technical and advisory services. One of such outputs is the Northern Ghana Human Development Report (2018) by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Aside these, I provide private consultancy services on Urban Planning and Management issues. The most recent one is that of the Local Assessment Report (LAR) on Secondary Cities (Cape Coast and Agona Swedru) for Cities Alliance which was done with Eparque Urban Strategies (New York).
I have been discussing national urban development and management issues on national platforms. Some of which can be accessed via https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/calls-for-comprehensive-strategy-to-tackle-ghanas-housing-deficit/2019/ ; https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Re-engineer-Accra-to-reduce-flooding-Urban-planner-736917# and https://citinewsroom.com/2019/04/re-engineer-accra-to-reduce-flooding-urban-planner/.
I advocate for socially just policies and discuss issues ranging from housing, urban and metropolitan governance, participatory urban planning, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, local economic development among others.
My passion of contributing to solving the ever-growing urban development challenges in Ghana fuelled my interest in pursuing Urban Development Planning (UDP). I was attracted to the particularly MSc Urban Development Planning because of the rich course content and experiential knowledge of the lecturers focused mainly on solving urban management challenges in the developing world. Lastly, the practical experiences and critical knowledge to be gained from practical field works right from the onset to the end of the programme was unique with UDP.
UDP provided me with critical analytical skills and knowledge base which puts me on a higher pedestal in my career development which hitherto couldn’t have been possible. This is making me rise rapidly in the urban development planning arena and contributing to influencing policies in a gradual but transformative and progressive manner in Ghana.
For persons willing to gain in-depth and broad knowledge, skills and make impact in solving urban challenges in the developing world, an MSc in Urban Development Planning remains the ultimate option. The nature of the training provides incomparable theoretical grounds and experiential knowledge for more transformative, progressive and socially just urban planning and management practice applicable in all urban contexts in both developing and developed countries.
Email: kekelikofi@gmail.com
Telephone: +233262685424
