The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LoGSAPP) is opposing a proposed merger of the Development Planning Unit and the Physical Planning Department at the local government level, citing concerns that it will weaken development control and undermine Ghana’s urban future.
LoGSAPP argues that the merger, featured in the draft National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy (NDPS) 2026-2029, will dilute spatial expertise and compromise effective planning. They emphasize that development planning and physical planning are distinct disciplines requiring different skill sets, and merging them without addressing existing capacity gaps will exacerbate urban challenges.
The association highlights that Ghana’s urban problems, such as flooding, congestion, and environmental degradation, stem from weak spatial planning and poor development control, rather than a lack of socio-economic policies. They advocate for strengthening spatial planning, recruiting qualified physical planners, and improving institutional support instead of merging the departments.
