Mahama Ayariga proposes bank-adopted streets as part of stronger public-private partnership

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has proposed the renaming of selected streets to reflect the spirit of cooperation between Ghana’s banking sector and society. According to the Minister, the initiative is intended to make public spaces symbols of the relationship between financial institutions and the communities they serve. Mr Ayariga made the proposal during an engagement with Heads of Banks, where he shared his vision of building a more cooperative society in which institutions and citizens contribute to national development.

He said the proposal goes beyond changing street names, urging banks to adopt selected streets and support their maintenance and beautification. “When a bank adopts a street, it is not merely cleaning a road; it is investing in the dignity of our people and the pride of our communities,” Mr Ayariga said. He stressed that the initiative should not be viewed as an additional burden on banks but as a partnership between the banking sector and government.

The Minister assured the bank heads that his Ministry would work with them to establish a fair, transparent and sustainable framework for the initiative. Speaking at a meeting with Heads of Banks, Mr Ayariga said financial institutions have the resources, reach and corporate responsibility to contribute meaningfully to cleaner, greener and more welcoming communities. He proposed that selected streets could be renamed in a manner that highlights the partnership between banks and society, with the institutions subsequently encouraged to adopt and maintain those streets.

Mr Ayariga said such an initiative would help deepen cooperation between government, the private sector and citizens while improving the appearance of communities. “I believe that banks have the resources, the reach, and the responsibility to help keep our public spaces clean, green, and welcoming,” he said. The Minister emphasised that the initiative would be based on partnership rather than compulsion, stressing that the Ministry would work closely with the banking sector to develop a transparent and sustainable framework.

He said the broader objective is to build a society where every institution and citizen recognises their role in contributing to national development.