Accra – Friday, October 18, 2024: The Steering Committee of the Heads of Development Permitting Institutions has successfully deliberated and finalized the roadmaps and Terms of Reference (TOR) for development permitting in Ghana.
The meeting was held at the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) under the auspices of the Business Regulatory Reforms (BRR) Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI).
In his welcome address, the Head of the Local Government Service and Chairperson of the committee, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur expressed gratitude to the committee members for their continued commitment and dedication to the reform agenda. He reiterated the need for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, particularly the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA).
Dr. Arthur underscored the pivotal role LUSPA plays in decision-making and the importance of fostering a collaborative and harmonious working relationship to ensure the timely execution of the reform agenda.
The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament for Achiase Constituency, Hon. Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, in his submission, encouraged the committee members to critically examine the existing systems and solutions outlined in the TOR and to incorporate best practices in its development. He further urged them to meet their responsibilities within the agreed timelines to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
The meeting included a presentation on the review of the B-Ready Report focusing on the adoption of timelines for the TOR, the process for Calls for Tenders or Requests, Technical and Evaluation of Proposal Selection, Contract Awarding, and the Development and Implementation of a Communication Strategy. Another key item on the agenda was the final consideration and approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Key among the decisions made by the committee was the final approval and agreed timeline for signing the MoU, which will be signed at two levels: at the operational level by the OHLGS and at the policy level by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD). The signing ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the OHLGS.
The committee also agreed on the establishment of a Sub-Technical Committee by March 2026 to study the Development and Implementation of the Communication Strategy.
The committee is made up of representatives from the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS), Ghana Fire Service, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), Lands Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs).