Accra: The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) has announced the redevelopment of its Land Use Planning and Management Information System (LUPMIS) to enhance land management and planning processes. This initiative aims to provide essential information to metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs), academia, professional bodies, and the public, aiding them in effective spatial planning and development management.
According to Ghana News Agency, the redevelopment was deemed necessary due to the existing system's insufficient storage capacity, which struggled to manage the extensive datasets generated by the MMDAs. Mr. Chapman Owusu-Sekyere, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of LUSPA, emphasized the importance of enhancing the permitting systems within the MMDAs. He highlighted that the new system aims to reduce the wait time for development permits, aligning with legal stipulations that these processes should not exceed 30 days.
The redevelopment effort is supported by the GIZ Paired Programme and the REACH Project, which are funding the creation of a centralized storage system. This system will organize data efficiently, making it accessible to data generators and the public. The current LUPMIS is not web-based, but GOPA Consultancy is working on transforming it into a web-based platform with access to global datasets for spatial planning purposes.
Mr. Ekkehard Roth, Team Lead for the redevelopment, explained that the new LUPMIS would offer multiple functionalities and technological innovations, serving as a development guideline for various agencies. He noted the critical focus on providing up-to-date information, plans, and tools to streamline development, permitting, and related processes across all districts.
Madam Leticia Ervy, Component Manager at the GIZ PAIReD Programme, described LUPMIS as a vital data repository for improving land management and planning. She affirmed GIZ's commitment to co-financing GOPA in system development and supporting LUSPA in preparing plans and reviewing zoning and planning guidelines in collaboration with the MMDAs.
