Story by our roving reporter, Christopher Tetteh, Kumasi
Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has emphasized the critical role of spatial planning in Ghana’s long-term development, calling for it to be prioritized as a strategic tool for economic transformation, climate adaptation, and social equity.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Capacity Building Conference of the Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LoGSAPP) in Kumasi, Prof. Asare-Bediako stressed that spatial planning must move from being an afterthought to becoming central to proactive and anticipatory governance.
The event, held under the theme “Planning for Resilient, Inclusive, Climate-Sensitive and Disaster-Free Communities for Efficient Infrastructure Development and Service Delivery,” brought together stakeholders including the EPA, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Fire Service, academia, traditional authorities, student planners, and environmental experts. It was supported by the World Bank and GIZ.
National commitment
Prof. Asare-Bediako underscored the urgency of collective national commitment to advancing physical planning, urging stakeholders to design communities that serve both present and future generations. He highlighted the need to integrate local knowledge systems into planning frameworks and ensure that development policies reflect the lived experiences of marginalized groups, informal settlers, and coastal communities.
He noted that Ghana’s challenges — such as climate change, urban sprawl, coastal erosion, and infrastructural disparities — require not just technical solutions but institutional courage, inclusive dialogue, and sustainable action.
Calling for renewed commitment to inclusive infrastructure development, the Vice Chancellor urged physical planners to position themselves as proactive change agents by embedding climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and social inclusion into every phase of the planning process.
He also charged LoGSAPP and its partners to use the AGM as a platform for bold thinking and collaborative strategies that bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Technical capacity
“The government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for planning to thrive,” he stated, adding that efforts to strengthen institutions like the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), as well as build the technical capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), are key steps toward effective spatial governance.
Prof. Asare-Bediako concluded by emphasizing the importance of consistent enforcement of planning regulations to protect communities from environmental harm, infrastructure failure, and social exclusion.
“We must build communities that are resilient to shocks, inclusive by design, climate-sensitive, and safeguarded against disasters,” he said.
