Comparative study of capital city elements: the case of Ghana and Nigeria

Abstract

There is limited academic literature on the functions and characteristics of capital cities despite the important role they play in the life of every nation. The objective of the study is to undertake a comparative study of the capital city elements of Accra and Abuja. This will serve as the basis for making recommendations for the effective functioning of the capital cities. The study was conducted based on secondary sources of data through literature review and document analysis. The research approach, which entails the case selection process, used Peter Hall’s categorization of capital cities in selecting the case studies. The management of multifunctional capital cities must always make provision for rapid population growth due to the concentration of services which in turn attracts people. The limited role of political capitals which is mostly administrative by nature makes it vital for the capacities of other cities to be strengthened to complement the functions of the political capitals in terms of the delivery of other services. Nigeria reacted to the congestion problems in their former capital by relocating the capital city from Lagos to Abuja. On the other hand, Ghana is still struggling with a congested capital city with the Constitutional Review Committee recommending the relocation of the capital city from Accra. Relocating capital cities does not necessarily solve the congestion of capital cities in the long term if the fundamental causes of the congestion are not addressed. In the case of Accra, it will be more feasible to change the role of the city from a multifunctional role to a political role. The overconcentration of facilities and services in capital cities serves as a pull factor for other people in the country. The congestion in capital cities can therefore be solved by decentralizing these facilities and services while at the same time ensuring equitable distribution of facilities and services in the country.

Keywords:

• capital cities
• political capitals
• multifunctional capitals
• characteristics
• capital city elements