About Us
Vision
To become a unique, technically capable and proactive entity, able to contribute effectively to the rational development of sustainable human settlements in Ghana
Mission
To plan, manage and promote harmonious, sustainable and cost effective development of human settlements in the country and in accordance with sound environmental and planning principles
Brief History
The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority was established as corporate body in accordance with Section 2(1) of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, (Act 925) 2016. It replaced the Town and Country Planning Department which had existed since 1945.
The Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD) was established in 1945 by the Town and Country Planning Ordinance (CAP 84) and charged with the responsibility of planning and management of growth and development of cities, towns and villages in the country. It sought to promote sustainable human settlements development based on principles of efficiency, orderliness, safety and healthy growth of communities
The TCPD, until the administrative reforms of the 1980s, operated purely as a Civil Service Department with the Head Office in Accra and branch offices at the Regions and the Districts. Prior to 1993, responsibility for planning lay with the Minister responsible for Town and Country Planning (The Town and Country Planning Act of 1958 (Act 30). the TCPD was placed under different ministries including Local Government , Sports, Education and science and Technology. Under the Ghana Land Administration Project, legal and institutional reforms were pursued. This resulted in the enactment of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016(Act 925) and subsequent establishment of the Authority.
Objects of the Authority
The objects of the Authority are to
- Provide for sustainable development of land and human
settlements through a decentralised planning system; - Ensure judicious use of land; and
- Enhance the attainment of Ghana’s decentralisation programme and in particular create an enabling environment for District Assemblies to better perform the spatial planning and human settlements management functions.
Structure
The Authority has a Governing Board of seventeen members. It is headed by a Chief Executive Officer and assisted by two (2) Deputy Chief Executive Officers.
The Authority has five (5) Directorates at the Head Office and sixteen (16) Regional Offices.
The Head Office operates under the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD). The Regional Offices are secretariat to the Regional Spatial Planning Committee (RSPC) of the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs).
Functions
- In support of the National Development Planning Commission perform the spatial, land human settlements planning functions of the national development planning system established under the National Development Planning Commission Act, 1994 (Act 479) and the National Development Planning (System) Act 1994 (Act 480).
- Prepare and provide for the technical human settlements planning component as may be required by the National Development Planning Commission for inclusion in the national development plans or infrastructure plan prepared by the Commission pursuant to Acts 479 and 480.
- Provide directives, issue regulatory notices, guidelines and manuals to ensure compliance with this Act.
- Develop the capacities of the District Assemblies and other institutions for effective performance of their spatial planning and human settlement management functions.
- Ensure that the District Assemblies in collaboration with the development institutions perform site and service programmes for the purpose of development.
- Provide guidance on the requisite human and material resources for the performance of the spatial planning and physical development functions at all levels.
- Ensure the control of physical development in uncontrolled or less controlled but sensitive areas such as forest reserves, nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, green belts, coastal wetlands, water bodies, water catchment areas, mining areas, open spaces and public parks.
- Ensure that the exploitative use of natural resources for agriculture, mining, industry and other related activities do not adversely impact on human settlements.
- Oversee the implementation of approved policies regarding spatial planning and physical development within the country
- Give guidance and monitor District Assemblies and generally advise the Minister on policy options and implementation under the Act.
- Give directives and guidelines as appropriate on development control functions in conformity with the Act.
- Prepare national spatial development framework plan and evaluate regional and district spatial development framework to ensure conformity with the national spatial development framework and the requirements of the Act.
- Recommend relevant Regulations to be made by the Minister.
- Ensure a continual review, effective planning and management of human settlements and spatial planning policies;
- Ensure attainment of a balanced distribution of urban population and a spatially integrated hierarchy of human settlements to support the socio-economic development of the country.
- Ensure continued revision of spatial development framework, structure and local plans to guide the development of human settlements in the country.
- Encourage the private sector to partner the public sector in financing the development and management of human settlements and related physical development.
- Create a regime that enables District Assemblies to acquire land in order to prevent or reverse depressed settlements;
- Establish spatial planning and land use database.
- Ensure the creation of appropriate zoning schemes and also prevent encroachments or breach of zoning schemes;
- Facilitate the creation of an institutional framework that ensures the effective operation of this Act at all levels.
- Ensure the establishment of an inter-sectoral approach to decision making in spatial planning in accordance with the development objective of government to attain a coordinated approach to development.
- Provide technical advice on spatial planning to the Government through the Board.
- Collaborate with relevant agencies; and
- Perform any other function as may be required pursuant to the policy directives of the Minister.
Organogram of the Authority
