MMDAs Urged to Prosecute Illegal Land Sellers to Curb Flooding

"Firm enforcement of Sections 96 and 97 of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) would deter illegal land transactions, protect wetlands and watercourses, and promote safer, more resilient, and sustainable communities," said Ms. Nyarko.

Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been urged to take a firm stance against persons who sell land without the legally required Land Use Certificate. This move is aimed at curbing the illegal sale of wetlands, watercourses, and floodplains, which contributes to flooding, environmental degradation, and land disputes.

The National President of the Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners, Gifty Nyarko, made this call in an interview with the Daily Graphic. She emphasized that although climate change is a factor in flooding, weak enforcement of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) is a major driver of indiscriminate development in environmentally sensitive areas.

According to Ms. Nyarko, Section 96 of Act 925 prohibits the sale, lease, or transfer of land unless the seller can demonstrate that it has been properly zoned or rezoned for its intended use. The law also requires sellers to ensure the land conforms to approved land use and to attach evidence of the approved zoning to every transfer or conveyance.

Ms. Nyarko expressed concern that many assemblies have failed to enforce the law, allowing wetlands, watercourses, floodplains, road reservations, and other protected lands to be sold for development. She urged MMDAs to educate chiefs on the provisions of Act 925, explaining that traditional authorities play an important role in land administration but are often unfamiliar with the law.

The Physical Planning Department of the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly is headed by Ms. Nyarko, who has also highlighted the need for MMDAs to move beyond public education and consistently prosecute offenders. She stressed that firm enforcement of Sections 96 and 97 of Act 925 would promote safer, more resilient, and sustainable communities.

Ms. Nyarko has served as the Head of the Physical Planning Department since [appointment date] and has played a key role in shaping the country's physical planning policies. She has also been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in land administration.

The Ghanaian government has long acknowledged the importance of sustainable land use management, and the implementation of Act 925 is a step towards achieving this goal. However, the success of this initiative depends on the active participation of MMDAs in enforcing the law.