Securing the future of urban agriculture: Legislative reform and planning for sustainability in sub-Saharan African cities

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) holds significant promise for advancing sustainable urban development in rapidly urbanizing cities. UPA contributes to food security, enhances urban resilience, and supports the creation of green spaces, all of which are essential in mitigating the adverse impacts of urbanization. Yet, as cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ghana, continue to expand, agricultural lands are increasingly converted into residential and commercial developments. This phenomenon threatens UPA, despite its recognized importance. While there is growing recognition of the importance of UPA in the sustainable city discourse, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on its integration into formal urban planning documents in Ghana, and the challenges associated with its integration remain largely unexplored. This study employed document analysis and key informant interviews to assess the integration of UPA into land use planning frameworks in Ghana, using Greater Kumasi and its peri-urban areas as a case study. It further unpacked the barriers that hinder the integration of UPA into formal planning frameworks. The results indicate a significant legislative gap in the current land use planning frameworks that hinders the integration of UPA into Ghana's land use planning. Land tenure systems, infrastructure deficit and housing design constraints also hinder the integration of UPA into Ghana's land use plans. It is recommended that legislative mandates be formulated and rigorously enforced to formally embed UPA within both national and local land use planning frameworks. • Integration of urban agriculture in Ghana's land use planning frameworks is assessed. • Identifies legislative gaps hindering the inclusion of urban agriculture. • Provides policy recommendations for embedding agriculture in urban planning. • Highlights challenges such as land tenure and housing constraints. • Offers insights applicable to other rapidly urbanizing cities in Sub-Saharan Africa.