Kumasi: Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has admonished physical planners against charging fees in the issuance of building permits. He emphasized that such practices remain unlawful under the Local Government Act and warned that culprits would be sanctioned accordingly. This guidance was delivered in a speech read on his behalf at the Second Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LOGSAPP) held in Kumasi.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day AGM and capacity-building conference was themed 'Planning for resilient, inclusive, climate-sensitive and disaster-free communities for efficient infrastructure development and service delivery.' The event brought together participants from government agencies, security services, academia, traditional authorities, student planners, and climate and environmental experts. It was sponsored by the World Bank (WB) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).
The meeting aimed to address pertinent issues and emerging challenges in the nation's physical planning development, creating a common platform for participants to collaborate and brainstorm on sustainable solutions. It also sought to strengthen collaborations between multi-sector stakeholders to develop workable strategies for building resilient, sustainable, and climate-smart infrastructural systems.
Mr. Ibrahim warned that the collection of fees from applicants was deemed fraudulent and punishable by law. He noted that the government, with support from the WB, had launched the Sustainable Cities Strategies for Ghana project, reaffirming its commitment to building a cleaner and more resilient environment. Under the project, 95 percent of resources from various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies are allocated for physical infrastructure development, including roads, health and education facilities, water provision, and construction of 24-hour markets to support the '24-hour economy.'
He further highlighted that spatial planning development is central to advancing infrastructure development and is a key driver for improved human settlements. The government is also developing policies, guidelines, and working manuals to aid in the preparation of spatial planning.
Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, urged physical planners to leverage technologies and digitize their resource mobilization systems for effective service delivery, thereby improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability. He called for effective coordination and collaboration, encouraging planners to foster partnerships and actively engage local communities and stakeholders for improved spatial planning development.