The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planning (LOGSAPP)
The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planning (LOGSAPP) has commended President John Dramani Mahama for expressing his commitment towards enforcing planning regulations and ensuring environmental safety to curb haphazard developments that destroy water bodies.
Addressing the National Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Accra on Monday, President Mahama condemned the illegal construction of buildings in waterways and attributed such practices to the devastating floods that frequently occur in many communities across the country.
President Mahama condemned the practice, stressing that building a better Ghana is a shared responsibility. He emphasized, “The law will be enforced, and those who flout it will face the consequences.”
He described the illegal construction of buildings and structures in waterways as “a deeply troubling issue” that leads to consistent flooding.
President Mahama stated, “These structures will be pulled down, and we will not allow a few selfish individuals to endanger the lives and livelihoods of countless others.”
He added that the construction of unauthorized structures is a result of a reckless disregard for planning regulations and environmental safety, contributing significantly to the devastating consequences the nation faces. “This must stop,” he said.
According to LOGSAPP, President Mahama’s bold decision and proactive approach will help build resilient cities for the future, protect wildlife systems, and preserve natural habitats.
Planner Gifty Nyarko, the Interim National President of LOGSAPP, disclosed in an interview that President Mahama’s actions would facilitate the achievement of Goals 11 and 13 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She further noted that this initiative would contribute significantly to fostering sustainable urban growth and creating livable cities for future generations.
Under the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), Pln. Nyarko explained the Assembly’s mandate to ensure proper land use and spatial planning for sustainable development. She highlighted Section 121 of Act 925, which specifically addresses unauthorized development.
She indicated that the law empowers Assembly officers to remove, prohibit, or demolish any unauthorized structure that creates a nuisance to the environment or interferes with the use of public spaces, including resource lands, urban utility spaces, riparian buffer zones, natural parks, forests, urban parks, recreational areas, health zones, infrastructure rights of way, areas of cultural or historical interest, or when it violates zoning laws, building codes, and other land-use regulations.
On his part, Pln. Ashmond Baffoe, the General Secretary of LOGSAPP, revealed that they are ready to support President Mahama’s action and called for stronger legal processes. He lamented that violators sometimes exploit legal loopholes to delay demolitions when necessary, hence emphasizing the need for the various Assemblies to employ lawyers to assist technocrats during the law enforcement and prosecution stages.
Pln. Baffoe cited insufficient enforcement capacity within the Assemblies, lack of adequate resources, personnel, and advanced tools to monitor and effectively carry out their mandates as major challenges facing the various MMDAs.
Pln. Ruth Agyeiwaa Badu, the Women’s Commissioner of LOGSAPP, underscored the need for systemic changes in areas such as political interference and the strengthening of departments to deal with non-compliance with planning regulations. She also pointed out that the disregard of regulations is contributing to the series of market fires.