By Sammy CRABBE
In part one of this series, we looked at – Laying the foundations, the early enabling works phase.
Energy and Connectivity as the Lifeblood of the Future
A city is not just a collection of buildings and roads; it is a living, breathing organism. For the One Square Mile to become Africa’s leading digital economy hub, it must be powered by infrastructure that is both modern and future-proof.
Phase Two of the execution plan focuses on deploying the city’s invisible nervous system – the infrastructure backbone – to ensure reliable power, seamless connectivity, and sustainable urban services. This is the phase where we prepare the foundation for the industries, technologies, and lifestyles of tomorrow.
Smart Energy Grids: Powering a New Era
Energy is the oxygen of any digital city. Without a stable and intelligent power system, no technology or innovation can flourish.
The One Square Mile will pioneer a decentralized smart grid anchored in renewable energy, particularly solar.
Solar farms and mandated rooftop panels on all buildings will turn each structure into a miniature power station, generating as well as consuming electricity.
Energy storage will be handled through district-level battery banks to manage demand spikes and emergencies.
The grid itself will be modular, resilient, and responsive – embedded with IoT-enabled meters to monitor real-time usage, manage distribution, and allow dynamic pricing that rewards efficiency.
Residents and businesses will track energy consumption through user-friendly apps, fostering a culture of conservation and accountability.
This system isn’t just about generating electricity – it’s about managing it smartly, sustainably, and equitably. It sets a new benchmark for energy resilience, not just in Ghana but across Africa.
Fiber-Optic and 5G Digital Backbone
If energy is the oxygen, then data is the bloodstream of the city. The One Square Mile will be designed from the outset as a fully connected environment.
A high-capacity fibre-optic backbone will be laid beneath every road and structure, ensuring ultra-fast internet access for homes, offices, and public institutions. These underground fibre conduits will be installed during early-stage works, avoiding the disruption of retrofitting later.
Alongside the fibre network, a 5G infrastructure will provide mobile high-speed connectivity. In partnership with telecom providers, a high-density antenna network will ensure strong, seamless 5G coverage both indoors and outdoors.
This dual-layer approach – fibre for fixed and 5G for mobile – will support AI-driven services, real-time data analytics, telemedicine, and the Internet of Things (IoT) at scale.
In the One Square Mile, connectivity will be treated as a basic utility – as essential as electricity or water.
Stormwater Management and Climate Resilience
The climate crisis demands that new cities be designed with resilience from the ground up. The One Square Mile’s civil works will include advanced stormwater systems capable of handling severe rainfall.
These will include underground storage reservoirs, smart drains, and permeable pavements that reduce surface runoff and help prevent flooding.
Captured rainwater will be treated and reused for urban cooling, irrigation, and non-potable functions. Green infrastructure such as bioswales, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands will not only manage water naturally but also enhance urban beauty and biodiversity.
By integrating water systems into the core design – rather than as an afterthought – the city will model climate-smart urban planning for the continent.
Mobility Infrastructure: Accelerating the Electric Transition
Transportation in the One Square Mile will break from the norm of gridlock, fumes, and noise. Instead, it will be built around an electric-first ethos. EV charging infrastructure will be woven into the streetscape – with fast-charging stations located across residential, commercial, and public zones.
Electric public transport will form the city’s mobility backbone, including smart buses and on-demand shuttles connected via mobile apps. Micro-mobility options – like shared bicycles and autonomous pods – will support short-distance trips, ensuring seamless, low-emission mobility for all.
Roads, sidewalks, and intersections will be designed not just for traffic but for experience – prioritizing safety, inclusiveness, and environmental impact.
Strategic Partnerships for Execution
Delivering this infrastructure backbone will require coordinated partnerships with global and local players. Early engagement with energy firms, telecom giants, and smart infrastructure companies will ensure the One Square Mile meets the highest global standards from day one.
The One Square Mile Authority will serve as the central coordinating body – fast-tracking permits, aligning standards, and overseeing transparent procurement. Public-private collaboration will be a guiding principle, ensuring shared value and technical excellence.
Through these alliances, the city’s hidden systems – power lines, fibre networks, and drainage corridors – will match the sophistication of its visible architecture.
Conclusion: Engineering the Future into the Present
Phase Two is where vision meets reality. It’s where every watt of energy, every byte of data, and every drop of water begins to flow. Through smart grids, fibre networks, resilient climate systems, and electric mobility, the One Square Mile is not just preparing for the future – it is building it.
This is infrastructure not as concrete and cables, but as enablers of innovation and prosperity. Every solar panel, every buried conduit, every EV charging point becomes a signal that Ghana is ready – not to follow – but to lead.
In this square mile, the continent’s digital dreams will have a home.
