MMDAs are planning authorities, not permit issuers – Physical Planning Director clarifies

The National President of Local Government and Head of the Physical Planning Department, Gifty Nyarko, has clarified that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are the planning authorities mandated by law to oversee physical development, but do not directly issue development permits.

She said while the national and regional offices now operate under the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), district-level physical planning departments function within the Local Government Service.

However, following the passage of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), the department was integrated into the Local Government Service at the district level.