Ghanaian professionals urge collaboration to tackle land and development challenges

Built-environment professionals in Ghana are being urged to increase collaboration and break down institutional silos to address the country’s escalating land, infrastructure, and spatial development challenges. This call was made during the 2026 Annual Conference of the Land Surveying Division of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors in Accra.

Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah, CEO of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, warned that professionals operating in isolation risk losing influence in national development discussions. Similarly, Surveyor Professor Prosper B. Laari noted that multifaceted issues like flooding often stem from poor coordination between institutions, making it difficult to identify specific points of failure.

Experts emphasized that technological innovation, including artificial intelligence and remote sensing, must be paired with stronger partnerships between surveyors, engineers, planners, and government agencies. Such cooperation is deemed essential for improving land administration, managing rapid urbanization, and addressing environmental concerns like illegal mining and unplanned settlements.