An orientation workshop on phase-2 of the Land and Corruption in Africa (LCA) project has been held for Spatial Planning Committee (SPC) and Technical Sub-Committee (TSC) members of some selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region.
The workshop was organised by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) national chapter of Transparency International (TI) in collaboration with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA).
The LCA-2 project aims to ensure that corrupt practices in land administration and land deals are addressed, and contribute to improved livelihoods of men and women.
It also seeks to promote networks of women, men and youth in Ghana to be better-equipped and mobilised to demand transparency and accountability in the land sector, as well as enhancing awareness on land rights among community groups most at risk from corruption.
The Chief Director of Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Lilian Baeka, in a speech read on her behalf by Francisca Okyere, Greater Accra Regional Director of LUSPA, lamented that most MMDAs are reluctant to fund spatial planning committee meetings and make available the necessary logistical support to facilitate development control efforts, among others.
In the midst of these challenges, she said, the performance of land use and spatial planning activities is fraught with many inconsistencies from one assembly to another.
Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director-GII, in her welcome remarks highlighted the importance of sound land administration and spatial planning – noting that they are the cornerstones of sustainable urban development.
Urbanisation, when marred by corruption and mismanagement according to her, can be a crippling force that stifles progress and exacerbates inequalities.
While acknowledging that the current urban planning environment is susceptible to corruption and illegitimate gains, she said the scarcity of resources such as land and housing can breed opportunities for extortion and unethical practices – calling for an urgent and comprehensive response to ensure that urban centres can thrive.
“We must also recognise that these challenges are interconnected and must be addressed with a multi-pronged approach. It is not enough to simply focus on land administration or spatial planning in isolation; rather, we must tackle these issues alongside other societal challenges – from poverty to pollution to crime. The road to sustainable development is fraught with challenges, but it is a path we must tread for the betterment of our cities, our nation and our future generations,” she added.
She further noted that the GII will continue to foster an environment wherein the transparency and accountability of spatial planning and management practices are not just encouraged, but ingrained in the very fabric of the country’s urban centres.
She was grateful that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development funded the LCA project’s second phase through Transparency International.
Phase-1 of the project was implemented from 2015 to 2019 by Transparency International in collaboration with 7 of its national chapters – including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.
The workshop’s purpose is to build the capacity of SPC and TSC members – key stakeholders in spatial planning and management at the MMDAs – while enhancing their awareness on land use and spatial planning services.
