As part of the ongoing review of Ghana’s National Land Policy (NLP), members of the Land Sector Multi-Stakeholder Platform (LSMP)—which comprises the Lands Commission, Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL), Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, COLANDEF, and NELAG—on Monday, 14th July 2025, engaged the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs premises in Kumasi.
The meeting aimed to solicit input from traditional leaders, who are identified as key stakeholders, on the proposed direction of the new land policy, which is expected to be finalized by September 2025.
The 1999 Land Policy in Ghana aimed to:
– Consolidate land administration: Streamline land management and registration processes.
– Promote efficient land use: Encourage productive land use, reduce disputes, and ensure equitable access.
– Improve land tenure security: Strengthen property rights and reduce conflicts.
The policy addressed issues like:
– Land fragmentation
– Multiple sales
– Compensation for acquired land
– Women’s access to land
It laid the groundwork for land administration reforms, including the Lands Commission’s role.
The engagement was chaired by Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso.
The session opened with welcome remarks delivered by Buipewura Jinapor II on behalf of the President of the National House of Chiefs. This was followed by a joint opening statement by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Surv. Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah, and the Administrator of OASL, Dr. Gad Asorwoe. They outlined the purpose of the meeting and provided a brief background to the policy review process, which stems from resolutions taken at the National Land Conference held in December 2023.
A presentation was made by consultant Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, who led a comprehensive review of the 1999 National Land Policy. He highlighted its objectives, achievements, and implementation challenges, particularly in the context of customary land governance. He emphasized the need for a revised policy that reflects current realities, including rapid urbanization, climate change, gender inclusivity, youth access to land, and emerging land use dynamics.
Members were taken through the proposed focus areas of the new policy. Key interventions discussed included the ascertainment of customary law, customary boundary demarcation, rural parcel rights documentation, and the establishment and integration of Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) into local land administration structures. The discussions also touched on the capacity of CLSs, funding constraints, and the legal and institutional frameworks necessary for their sustainability.
The engagement featured open discussions where traditional leaders provided feedback and made suggestions for the new policy. Issues raised included the relevance and accessibility of available documentation to traditional authorities, how ascertained customary laws are being applied, and how CLSs can be scaled up and made more effective.
Participants also explored gaps and emerging concerns such as large-scale land acquisitions, youth and gender equity in land access, climate change impacts on land tenure, and the nexus between land rights and natural resources like water, forests, and minerals.
The meeting was attended by top management members from their respective institutions, including the Acting Deputy Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Surv. Anthony Mallen Ntiador; members of the Land Act Committee; LSMP Chair, Surv. Maxwell Adu Nsafoah; Surv. Mrs Cynthia Odametey, Director of PVLMD; Surv. Timothy Anyidoho, Ag. Greater Accra RLO; Nana Ama Yiyra, CEO of COLANDEF; Surv. Michael Appiah, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; and Surv. Geoffrey Sarfo Osei of OASL. Also present were the Ashanti Regional Lands Officer, Surv. Peter Osei Owusu, along with heads of the various divisions of the Lands Commission in the Ashanti Region.
The engagement marks a significant step toward inclusive and comprehensive land policy reform, with traditional leaders reaffirming their commitment to supporting the process and contributing to sustainable land governance in Ghana.
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