The Ghana Association of Student Planners (GASP), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the leading student body of the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) celebrates its 60 years anniversary this year.
This anniversary is celebrated by the Department of planning, the college of art and built environment, and members of the Ghana Association of Student Planners (GASP).
As part of their anniversary celebrations and to crown the occasion, a panel discussion was held to observe and educate the public and its members on the newly passed Land Act (Act1036). The Panel Discussion which comprised legal practitioners, Lawyers, and other dignitaries took place at the College of Science Auditorium on Thursday, July 8, 2021.
The event commenced at 2 PM with the theme “The Relevance of the New Land Act to Professional Planning Practice”.
The Land Act 1036
The Land Act is a consolidation of reforms made so far in Ghana’s land sector following the implementation of the National Land Policy (NLP) in 1999. It is believed the new Land Act will address long-standing challenges and problems embedded in the sector as it would better define land management and acquisition.
Speaking to Hypercitigh.com on some of the benefits of the seminar, the then Acting President of the Association, Mr. Benjamin Amoah said the new Act comes with reforms which student planners ought to know, so they can be guided in their planning discourses and practice.
He believes the seminar will arm students ahead of their professional practice when they are out of school.
Addressing the new Land Act, the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) President Pln. Mohammed Alhassan, Manhyia North MP, Hon. Akwasi Konadu, Land Officer Mr. Edward Larnyoh, Valuer Mr. Lovelace H. Brown, and other panelists gave an overview of the newly passed Act.
According to the GIP President, Pln. Mohammed Alhassan, this new law embodies innovations and dealings with people who exercise control over the use of land.
“This law characterizes and embodies some innovations like dealing with people who use force and exercise some control over the use of land.”
“This law is a documentation that harmonizes issues with regards to land management”, he added.
Hon. Konadu did add that fragmentations were put together in a futuristic attempt, and this new law now exists to address contemporary land acquisition rules, and also task us to deal with certain land issues (‘land guard’ issues).
The chairman of the event revealed that there were series of attempts to passing this law but all failed. There were conflicts of interest as to why the law had to be passed, which discouraged most legal practitioners, but with the hard work of some of them and persistence, the bill was then passed into a Land Act in December 2020.
Through the discussion of the panelists, it was duly noted that although the long-awaited bill had been passed into an Act, there are still issues that the land act could not make provision for.
“Although the act has been passed, care has to be taken until it has been actually implemented because the act does not work in isolation. There are still issues that the land act could not make provisions for”.
Mr. Lovelace H. Brown, A Valuer at Asantehene Lands Secretariat gave some guidelines as to how to legally acquire land in Ghana;
First, identify the land, and consult the right owner of the land. If you have difficulty accessing the owner, visit a land secretariat and inquire about the land of interest, they are going to give you all the help you need and lead you through the right procedure and process to actually acquire the land.
Mr. Brown advised that under no circumstance should anyone buy land through an agent. Some reasons being fraudulent cases and wrong land acquisition procedures.
Speaking on the theme, the GASP Patron, Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi said with this newly passed act, “it does not change the role of a planner, but rather, a diversification in the role of the planner.”
Advising the planning students present, Dr. Takyi encouraged them to pick up and learn from each other and not be competitive as that brings to ruin. It is his hope that Planning will be a computer-based course in the next 20years.
In his closing remarks, he urged all planners to try their best to fully equip themselves to meet the complex and dynamic needs in the 21st century.
Professor Clifford Amoako of the Department of Planning, KNUST in his closing remarks praised the appreciated everyone for their hard work and determination and as they celebrate their 60 years, he urges that everyone tries their very best to improve their lot.
“60th Anniversary is a time for reflection, a time to look back to measure how far we have come, and also a time for chatting the way forward. It also is a time to consolidate our gains, a time of minimizing our challenges.”
“The commodity called land is where money can be judiciously used, therefore, all student planners must strive to improve to make the environment a better place”, he urged.
Present to grace the occasion were Provost of the College of Built and Art, Prof. John K., Prof. Clifford of the Planning Department, GASP Patron Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi, Dr. Owusu Amponsah, Dr. Simon Denkyi, Mr. Edward Teteh Larnyor (Land Officer, Asantehene Land Secretariat), Mr. Lovelace Brown (Valuer, Asantehene Land Secretariat, Lawyer), Mr. Kofi Peprah (Legal Practitioner), Hon. Akwasi Konadu (Manhyia North MP), Planner Mohamed Alhassan (GIP President).
Source:Focus NewsRoom, July 9, 2021
*This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Ghana Institute of Planners*
