The Physical Planning Department of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly on 20th June, 2024 had a stakeholders engagement with landowners within the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality at the Municipal Assembly Conference Hall.
The purpose of the meeting was to educate all landowners within the Municipality on the need to have a ‘Land Use Plan’ for their lands in order to ensure the proper use of the land that balances economic, social and environmental needs for a sustainable development.
Presenting on the above topic, Madam Shirley Sowah, Head of Physical Planning Department, said the ‘Spatial Development Framework’ (SDF) is based on the Local Governance ACT of 2016. The Lower Manya Krobo Municipal SDF has a policy goals and guidelines aim to guide land use development over a period of twenty years (2022-2042) using a three-tier land use planning system. This system involves assessing the current situation, analyzing data, preparing development options, and formulating appropriate strategies and programs of action.
She indicated that as at 2021, the population of the Municipality was 121,478 with a land area of 326 km² and a population density of 384 persons per km². According to Mrs Sowah the estimated population for the Municipality by 2042 is projected to be 252,858, highlighted the importance of utilizing the ‘Land Use Plan’ to prevent future issues like boundary disputes, climate change challenges and poor road networks. She pointed out Development options for the SDF area which include focusing on industrialization, agriculture, and mixed development, emphasizing the necessity of a Land Use Plan to allocate areas for housing, agriculture, industrialization, and other purposes.
Commenting on a structure plan for Kpong Zone (15 years plan from 2022- 2037), Madam Shirley Sowah gave a reason why Kpong Zone was chosen for the structure plan preparation and said currently the direction of growth for the Municipality is centered there and also has enough undeveloped lands and above all strategically located on the Akosombo-Tema highway which called for demand for infrastructure and services.
She educated the stakeholders on the local plan preparation and approval, citing Local Governance Act 925, section 72, 96, 113, 117 and 119 in order for them to ensure they have a land use plan to avoid future land challenges such as an unfavorable land tenure system, uncertified surveyors for demarcation of lands, lack of documentation and registration, lack of provisions for access roads amongst others.
The MCE, Hon. Simon Kweku Tetteh, expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders for making time out of their busy schedule to be part of the program. He reiterated his goal of becoming the next Member of Parliament for the Constituency, asking them to vote for him on 7th December, 2024.
BY: Abraham Tettey Wayo
MIO: Lower Manya Krobo