The Local Government and Rural Development Committee of Parliament has expressed serious concern over the continued proliferation of containers and other unauthorised structures in the East Legon area of Accra, demanding urgent action from the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly.
The Committee raised the issue during an engagement with officials of the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, who appeared before Parliament to account for activities within the municipality and address concerns surrounding development and enforcement of planning regulations.
The officials told the Committee that the Assembly had not issued permits for the containers and other temporary structures that have emerged at various locations within East Legon.
That admission heightened concerns among lawmakers about the effectiveness of the Assembly’s monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, particularly in an area regarded as one of the city’s high-value residential and commercial communities.
“Why Do You Allow Containers Springing Up Everywhere?”
Committee Chairperson Queenstar Maame Pokuah Sawyerr questioned why unauthorised structures continue to appear despite the Assembly’s position that it did not approve them. She expressed concern that the growing presence of containers and temporary structures could undermine proper physical planning and the orderly development of the area.
“Why do you allow containers springing up everywhere around such an expensive area? And temporary structures too. There are a lot of them there. Are you ready to do something about it because they are unauthorised structures and containers and all of that?” she asked.
The Committee Chairperson subsequently tasked the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the situation and clear the unauthorised structures from the area. She stressed the need for the Assembly to take concrete steps to enforce planning and development regulations rather than allowing the structures to continue spreading.
East Legon: A High-Value Area Under Pressure
East Legon is one of Accra’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, home to high-end residential properties, diplomatic residences, upscale businesses, schools and commercial developments. Its zoning and planning regulations are intended to preserve the character of the area and ensure orderly development.
In recent years, however, containers and makeshift structures have become a common sight in parts of Accra, including East Legon, where they are often used as shops, eateries, mobile money outlets, offices and storage spaces. While they provide informal commercial space and employment, planners say many lack permits, sanitation, fire safety and parking provisions, and can contribute to congestion, filth and disorderly development.
The situation in East Legon is particularly sensitive because of the area’s high property values and its status as a showcase for urban development in the capital.
Legal and Institutional Background
Under Ghana’s decentralised local governance system, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are the planning authorities for their areas. They are responsible for issuing development and building permits, monitoring compliance, and enforcing planning and development regulations.
The Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) give assemblies the mandate to prepare and enforce spatial plans and to take action against unauthorised structures. Unauthorised developments can be subject to enforcement notices, abatement orders, fines or demolition.
The officials’ admission that no permits were issued for the containers and temporary structures effectively confirms that the developments are unauthorised under the law. The key question now is whether the Assembly has the capacity, logistics and political will to enforce the regulations.
Parliamentary Oversight
The engagement formed part of Parliament’s oversight function over municipal and district assemblies. Parliamentary committees regularly summon local government officials to account for their stewardship, particularly in areas such as revenue mobilisation, service delivery, infrastructure and enforcement of regulations.
The Committee’s concern reflects broader frustration over weak enforcement of planning laws across Accra and other cities, where unauthorised structures often appear and expand despite repeated official warnings. Critics argue that lax enforcement encourages impunity, distorts urban planning and deprives assemblies of revenue.
For the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, the task is now clear: produce a credible strategy to remove the unauthorised containers and temporary structures, restore order, and ensure that future development in East Legon complies with approved plans.
The Committee is expected to follow up on the Assembly’s response as part of its oversight responsibilities. For residents and planners, the outcome will be a test of whether local authorities can enforce the law even in Accra’s most expensive neighbourhoods.
