Walking as a mode of transport in ‘unwalkable contexts’: experiences from a secondary Ghanaian city

Active transport researchers suggest that walking offers many health benefits, including improved physical and mental well-being. However, few scholarly efforts have evaluated how the range of elite approaches and agencies driving the walkability agenda in Africa align with urban dwellers’ everyday lived realities and mobility. This study draws on the experiences of Ghana’s secondary city, Cape Coast, to contribute to the limited research on pedestrians’ perceptions of the quality of the walking environment. Using a quantitative research approach, this study engaged residents aged 18 years and over who have lived in Cape Coast for at least three years. A questionnaire was adopted as the primary data collection instrument and deployed via the KoboToolbox platform. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse the data, employing both descriptive and inferential techniques. The study revealed an overall positive perception of walking among respondents, who considered it a primary mode of transport, a means to reduce noise and stress, and an opportunity to improve health outcomes. The study found that a sense of convenience [OR 9.7, CI = 0.230–1.012, p=.0.002] and attractiveness [OR 33.5, CI = 0.667–1.350, p=.0.000] significantly influence the quality of the walking environment, with attractiveness emerging as the top predictor. The results of this study provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations for promoting walkability. The study calls for investment in pedestrian infrastructure by allocating resources to develop and maintain essential facilities, establish urban green spaces, and integrate existing walking paths into urban planning.