LACK OF PLANNING GHANA'S BANE (FEB 6, 2010)

THE need for the planning of our villages, towns, cities and, indeed, the entire country has never become as imperative as the situation in which the nation finds itself today.
It is estimated that most of the buildings in our towns and cities are without the appropriate building and development permits from statutory authorities, including the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
Indeed, our major cities are battling with poor infrastructure and planning. Unsightly heaps of waste, poor sanitation, slums and pollution are common.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, commends the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) for opening its doors to the public to help the nation overcome this challenge in its pursuit of better building, planning and living standards for the people.
At a GIA/BUSAC validation workshop in Accra on Thursday, the GIA pledged its commitment to offer its services to the public to develop the country in an integrated manner for the present and posterity.
This gesture, though long overdue, is a welcome one which, if utilised effectively, can go a long way to help the country overcome the challenges of haphazardly planned settlements.
There are several factors contributing to these problems.
Many house owners and developers are ignorant of the building regulations. Some chiefs have also been named as part of the cause of the chaotic situation in land development in the country, as they are involved in double and triple sale of lands and are simply not upright when it comes to the sale of lands and development.
The Building Inspectorate Unit of the assemblies have no teeth to bite and the enforcement of the law is very weak and inefficient.
Estate developers, by regulation, are required to obtain development permits from statutory authorities. But due to the cumbersome nature of the procedure, many of them avoid applying for the permits.
Education of communities on re-planning and the laws governing building regulations must be intensified. For instance, how many of our citizenry know that the Local Government Act 462, Section 51 and 52, states that unauthorised developments on any public land could be stopped (demolished) without notice and the developers surcharged with the cost of demolition?
The Daily Graphic does not believe that our cities are too big to manage. The major problem lies with key stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of managing the cities and towns.
We know there is pressure on housing in the country because of rising population but that does not mean the regulations should not be enforced.
Ghana must not be one of the countries in the world where urban planning has no meaning. One can never be proud of a city where a 15-minute flood will cause several hours’ delay in traffic.
We can cope if the authorities put their heads together and come up with a resolution.
The situation may be chaotic but not insurmountable. The solution must start today. No excuses will suffice for our children. Changes don’t happen overnight and by themselves. Roads don’t build themselves; gutters don’t cover themselves; standing waters don’t move by themselves and mosquitoes don’t emerge out of nowhere.
What is required is planning and action to deal with the challenges so that more Sodom and Gomorrahs and Abujas do not take over the city of Accra.