The Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly has commenced the development of a Structure Plan for the Assin Fosu urban area to guide physical development and adequately respond to the municipality’s growing population.
The initiative is being supported by the German Development Corporation (GIZ) through technical assistance to the Assembly.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultative workshop in Assin Fosu, Mr. Naku Adama, Technical Advisor to the German Development Corporation, explained that the municipality’s increasing population makes it necessary to plan ahead and ensure that future development is properly coordinated.
He said the Structure Plan would provide a framework for managing the municipality’s expansion while addressing challenges associated with unplanned and haphazard development.
Mr. Adama added that proper planning was essential to ensure adequate provision for residential areas, roads, public facilities and other critical infrastructure as the municipality continues to grow.
The stakeholder consultative workshop, held at the Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly Conference Hall, brought together representatives of women’s groups, traders, landowners, traditional authorities, planning and environmental officers, the Ghana National Fire Service, persons with disabilities, the media and other key stakeholders.
The participants were taken through the draft Structure Plan and given the opportunity to offer comments, concerns and recommendations to help improve the document before its finalisation.
The exercise is being undertaken in accordance with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), which provides for stakeholder participation in spatial planning.
The Assembly is expected to incorporate relevant inputs from the consultation into the final plan to promote orderly, sustainable and well-coordinated development in Assin Fosu.
Meanwhile, Mr. Irving Kwaku Selby, Standards and Compliance Officer at the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, said proper spatial planning would also support effective disaster prevention and management, particularly during emergencies such as fire outbreaks and flooding.
The Chief of Assin Nyankomase, Nana Kwaku Apotae IV, welcomed the initiative, saying the Structure Plan could contribute to the beautification and orderly development of Assin Fosu. He, however, called for extensive public education and sensitisation to ensure residents understand the plan and its implications before implementation.
The Physical Planning Officer of the Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly, Sitsofe Dzo, identified the activities of some private surveyors as one of the challenges confronting effective physical planning in the municipality.
He said some private surveyors prepare layouts in a haphazard manner for building development, a situation he noted could undermine efforts to achieve orderly spatial development.
Story by: Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack, Rich FM Assin Fosu
