Accra- Tuesday, October 29, 2024: Members of the Steering Committee of the Heads of Development Permitting Institutions have met at the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) to sign a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at implementing a Unified Digitised System for Development Permit Administration.
This MoU brought together eight key institutions in a concerted effort to transform permit administration in the country. The new digitised system seeks to harmonise the permit process across various sectors, reduce bureaucratic delays that previously led to increased construction costs and value loss, enhance data accessibility and streamline coordination among institutions.
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service and Chairperson of the committee, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and the Business Regulatory Reform Unit (BRR) for their unwavering support. He praised the committee’s dedication and highlighted their hard work in achieving significant progress in reforming the permit system.
Dr. Ato Arthur emphasized that the signing of the MOU marks a historic milestone in Ghana’s development landscape. He called on the committee members to maintain their commitment and dedication to ensure successful implementation of the new digitized system.
Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, underscored the need for robust data management solutions as Ghana’s construction sector becomes increasingly data intensive. He pointed out that digitising the permit system would resolve common challenges such as prolonged processing times, poor coordination between institutions and complex data accessibility issues.
Hon. Marfo expressed confidence in the institutions involved and entreated them to adhere to the outlined timelines and roadmaps for swift implementation. He also extended gratitude to the World Bank for supporting this transformative initiative under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).
Representatives from the participating institutions reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively for the timely and successful deployment of the unified system.
The MoU was signed at the operational level between the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and OHLGS, and at the policy level, between the Ministry of Local
Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) and Greater Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), Lands Commission (LC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Ghana National Fire Service (GFS).
This historic signing signals a new era in Ghana’s approach to development permitting, promising greater efficiency, transparency, and collaborative governance.