Accra, May 1, GNA - Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), has initiated efforts to get its members and the general public to adhere to the Land Use Planning and Management (LUPM) Project to help reduce land litigations.

The project, which is the brainchild of the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD) had become imperative because of the increasing incidents of land disputes across the country due to the absence of modern best practices in land management and administration.

Dr. Alex Tweneboah, President of GREDA made this known a day's seminar organised by the association to educate its membership and the general public on the new processes of land administration in the country. He tasked members of GREDA to promote the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the property industry, and also encourage the public to consult GREDA in all property transactions. "The public can be sure that GREDA will vigorously enforce the code of practice and professional rules of conduct for members and thereby protect the interest of all stakeholders particularly property buyers," he said. He said GREDA would continue to provide the platform for its members to be abreast of modern trends through education, with the view to uphold high professional standards within the industry.

Mr. Alistair Blunt, Project Manager in charge of the LUPM project of the TCPD observe that haphazard development had led to flooding, traffic congestion and other urban development challenges in many cities and towns in Ghana. He said this could be traced to the poor linkage between planning and registration of plots and the absence of a link between social and economic development policies and spatial plans. The LUPM project aims at addressing the numerous challenges facing land administration in the country by involving all stakeholders including the district and municipal assemblies, residents and local landowners in the planning and use of land in the communities. 1 May 10

A group photograph of the participants with (from right, seated) Mr. Alistair Blunt of the Town and Country Planning Department; Dr. Alex Tweneboah, President of GREDA and other officials from the two organizations.