As part of efforts to sensitize stakeholders of the Commission, Traders at the Makola market on Monday, 31st October 2022, received education on land-related issues and the Land Act.
The Greater Accra Regional Lands Officer, Surv. Timothy Anyidoho Esq, who led the delegation, educated the traders on the mandate of the Commission, the business processes, and the Land Act.
Surv. Anyidoho averted their minds to sections of the Land Act 2020, Act 1036. He explained that Section 14 mandates any stool or skin, clan or family that owns land to set up a Customary Land Secretariat, and the Lands Commission and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands shall collaborate to provide technical support in their function of lands management.
He subsequently elaborated on section 12 which has criminalized the activities of land guards, stressing that one could be jailed for not less than five (5) years and not more than fifteen (15) years and therefore advised them to stay away from any activity that could prevent someone who legitimately owns or has an interest in land from accessing their lands. Both the sponsor and the sponsored, he indicated, shall face the full rigor of the law.
He also cautioned the traders that, the land was not to be bought as a common commodity on the market without investigating to know the rightful owner but that due diligence should be carried out before undertaking any land transaction, to save prospective buyers from several problems and litigations in the future.
Madam Pearl Rockson, a Senior Land Administration Officer reiterated the critical need for individuals to register their lands before alienating them because that is the position of the Land Act.
She also noted that many individuals most often have documents lying in their rooms but unregistered. She, therefore, urged all to rush to the Commission to register their interests to save them from future litigations. She entreated the traders to be smart in all land dealings by insisting on a site plan to conduct a search at the Commission to know the ownership status before paying for the land.
Madam Pearl Rockson explained that a successful land registration starts with very good due diligence done to get it right from the inception; so, it is imperative to pay attention to the pre-registration process.
The market traders who were elated asked a number of questions relating to the registration of their lands and the challenges they are confronted with. They were urged to transact business directly with the Commission by visiting the Client Service and Access Unit (CSAU) which is a one-stop-shop for all land transactions at the Lands Commission’s offices in Accra and in the other fifteen (15) regions.
Madam Mercy Afoley Gyan, the President of the Greater Accra Market Association thanked the Commission for exposing the traders to land-related issues and advised the traders to rush to the Commission to seek assistance on all their land-related matters.
This sensitization which forms part of the many sensitization activities of the Commission was very insightful and interactive.
Surv. Anyidoho hinted that the Commission is improving its service delivery and the public should embrace the reforms taking place, by trying to do business on its portal, Onlineservices.Ic.gov.gh, and the website, www.lc.gov.gh
This same sensitization was organized at the Madina Market on Wednesday, 9th November 2022.
