Resource information
This Act provides with respect to spatial and land use planning at national, regional and district level in Ghana. It established the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Development Fund. The objects of the Authority are to (a) provide for sustainable development of land and human settlements through a decentralised planning system; (b) ensure judicious use of land; and (c) 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. For the purpose of achieving its objects the Authority shall, in support of the National Development Planning Commission, perform the spatial, land use and 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). It shall also, among other things, 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.The administrative regions established by the relevant enactments shall serve as the regions for the purpose of this Act. Each Regional Coordinating Council shall establish a Regional Spatial Planning Committee as a technical committee of the Regional Planning Coordinating Unit in each region. The administrative districts established by the relevant enactment shall serve as the districts for the purpose of this Act. The Authority may recommend the making of further Regulations regarding the spatial planning matters to be taken into account in the creation of districts.The Authority shall prepare a National Spatial Development Framework covering the entire territory of Ghana. The National Spatial Development Framework shall have as its object, the judicious use of land and the equitable distribution of national infrastructure and facilities in various human settlements of the country. The Authority shall also provide guidelines in respect of zoning schemes affecting (a) agriculture; (b) the purchase of the whole of a partially affected agricultural unit; (c) mining; (d) utilities including gridlines, pipelines, telephone lines and masts; (e) highways; (f) outdoor advertisement; (g) environment; (h) conservation; (i) security; (j) creation of green belts; and (k) national, regional, district and local parks.
