NEW SPATIAL PLANNING SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
A meeting was convened on the 4th of September 2025 by the Physical Planning Department of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly with some Chiefs and Assembly Members to discuss the preparation of a new spatial planning system in connection with the Secondary City Support Program’s objective to develop and sustain development in the Municipality. The initiative aims to address land development challenges in the Municipality, particularly in areas where structures have been built without plans, which is contrary to Ghana’s laws requiring land development plans.
Madam Shelly (Head of Physical Planning Department) stated that, despite the legal requirement for development plans, many areas within the Municipality have been developed without adherence to this regulation. To rectify this, a special plan is being developed to manage these areas and bring them up to standard and a key component of this initiative is the Structure Plan, designed to guide land development in the Municipality over a fifteen-year period
The meeting introduced the Structure Plan to Assembly Members and chiefs of the communities as their input is crucial for the successful implementation of the plan and that will also ensure that the plan reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities, thereby enhancing its effectiveness. Another strategy for the plan implementation of the plan will be community assessment. This will require community engagement to assess their specific needs and incorporate them into the plan and that will be done in subsequent days after the meeting. The plan is also backed by several policy frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligning with global objectives for sustainable development, National Land Policy which provides a framework for land management and utilization just to mention a few.
After several concerns such as high cost of permits which discourages people from obtaining necessary permits leading to unauthorized land developments and non-compliance were raised by the Assembly Members and Chiefs at the meeting, Madam Shelly noted that the way forward is to prepare local plans to meet specific needs of each locality, have coordinated land demarcation to ensure that land is properly demarcated for various uses, approval of land demarcation which will officially sanction land use plans to prevent future land disputes, and demarcation of access roads to ensure that roads and pathways are properly planned and designated.
The New Spatial Planning System represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable development in the Municipality. By engaging with community leaders and incorporating their feedback, the plan can be tailored to meet specific needs of the Municipality. Also, addressing the challenges and concerns raised will be crucial to the plan’s success. With proper implementation and adherence to the guiding policies, the Municipality can move towards more organized and sustainable development.






