Assemblies accused of taking penalties instead of demolishing illegal buildings on wetlands
Some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are allegedly allowing illegal developments on wetlands to remain in place after collecting penalty fees from developers, instead of enforcing demolition orders as required by planning laws.
The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LoGSAPP) has described the practice as unlawful, warning that it is encouraging further encroachment on protected areas and contributing to the growing problem of unplanned development across the country.
The association is also calling for increased investment in geospatial technology to improve the monitoring of construction activities and strengthen enforcement of physical planning regulations.
The concerns were raised by the National President of LoGSAPP, Planner Gifty Nyarko, and the association’s National General Secretary, Planner Samuel Ansong, during an interview on Joy FM monitored by Graphic Online on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
According to Planner Nyarko, the law clearly outlines the action assemblies must take against structures constructed without the required development permits.
She explained that such structures should be removed rather than being regularised through the payment of penalties.
“The Act didn’t say go and pay penalty,” she said, insisting that assemblies that accept payments while allowing illegal structures to remain are acting outside the law.
She alleged that some developers who had built on wetlands were being allowed to pay penalties while their unauthorised structures remained intact.
Planner Nyarko also raised concerns over what she described as improper demands by some assemblies for applicants to pay full permit fees before their applications are considered by Spatial Planning Committees.
She explained that applicants are only required to pay a processing fee when submitting applications, while permit fees should be paid only after approval has been granted.
According to her, such practices suggest that some assemblies may be prioritising revenue collection over proper physical planning and sustainable development.
Planner Ansong said weak enforcement remains a major challenge in dealing with illegal developments, particularly after structures have been rejected by Spatial Planning Committees.
He cited protected wetland areas, including what he referred to as the “Ramsey site”, where some developments had reportedly continued despite planning restrictions.
He explained that while applications for construction in such areas would typically be rejected, some developers had obtained court orders preventing assemblies from carrying out demolition exercises.
Both planners identified political interference as another factor affecting the effective implementation of planning regulations.
Planner Nyarko said some assemblies had previously been reluctant to undertake monitoring and demolition exercises during election periods due to concerns that such actions could affect the political fortunes of candidates.
She stressed that enforcement of planning laws should not be influenced by political considerations.
She pointed to recent demolitions of illegal structures on wetlands in parts of the Greater Accra Region, including properties linked to influential individuals, as evidence that the law could be enforced when authorities demonstrate commitment.
She also mentioned the Kwadaso South Municipality as an example where the Municipal Chief Executive and Coordinating Director had supported enforcement efforts.
Planner Ansong said many MMDAs lack the human resources and technological capacity needed to effectively track developments and identify illegal structures.
He called for greater use of geospatial intelligence and geo-information systems to complement traditional monitoring methods and improve early detection of unauthorised construction.
According to him, such technologies are already being used internationally and could be adopted in Ghana at a manageable cost.
He also called for specialised training for all members of Spatial Planning Committees, including representatives from the Lands Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Disaster Management Organisation, rather than focusing only on physical planners.
Planner Nyarko further urged assembly leaders, including District and Municipal Chief Executives, to take decisive action against individuals and groups allocating lands in protected areas contrary to approved planning schemes.
She stressed that landowners, chiefs and family heads are required to comply with planning regulations and should not subdivide or allocate lands in ways that violate approved development plans.
She maintained that consistent enforcement of planning laws, regardless of a person’s influence or status, would be critical in protecting wetlands and promoting orderly development across the country.