Accra: The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has inaugurated the governing board of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and the governing council of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS). The LUSPA Governing Board is tasked with devising strategies and programs to ensure the full implementation of provisions in Act 925, particularly concerning development and building permits in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
According to Ghana News Agency, the ILGS Governing Council is expected to assist in evidence-based research to inform national policies and programs on local governance and development. Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the sector minister, highlighted that ILGS is a strategic research, training, and academic institution established to organize professional training programs for staff and political functionaries of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and MMDAs. The ILGS has offered orientations, training programs for officials in the RCCs and MMDAs, and higher degree programs for those interested in sub-national governance and development.
Mr. Ibrahim emphasized the government's commitment to building the capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Assembly Members for effective service delivery. He noted the importance of appreciating decentralization and local governance, with efforts underway to upgrade ILGS to a specialized University focused on professional and higher education in local governance.
The Minister addressed urban management challenges like housing and transportation issues, attributing them to non-adherence to the Act by some MMDAs. He assured cooperation with LUSPA to ensure the functionality of District Spatial Planning Committees and Technical Sub-Committees, aiming for compliance with the Act in physical development.
Mr. Ibrahim also mentioned directives for MMDAs to establish permanent Public Data Rooms to promote orderly development. He commended the previous Board and Council's work and urged the new members to advance the institutions' development. Dr. William Kofi Ahadzie and Mr. Jonathan Kwasi Azasoo, chairmen of the ILGS Governing Council and LUSPA Governing Board respectively, expressed support for the institutions' objectives.
