The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has officially inaugurated the Central Regional Lands Commission Board at a ceremony held at the Central Regional Coordinating Council in Cape Coast on Monday, 12th May 2025.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister emphasized the critical role land plays in Ghana’s socio-economic development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to efficient land administration, referencing the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767), and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), as pivotal tools for reforming the sector. The Minister stated that the inauguration was in line with Article 261 of the 1992 Constitution and urged the new Board to lead with professionalism and integrity.
He outlined pressing challenges in the Central Region, including land encroachment, illegal development, litigation, and landguard activities, particularly in urban areas like Kasoa and Winneba. Hon. Buah urged the Commission to enforce laws to protect wetlands, heritage sites, and agricultural lands while streamlining land registration processes and decentralizing services.
“With your expertise and commitment, I am confident the Central Regional Lands Commission will help unlock the region’s potential in tourism, agriculture, and industry,” the Minister said, before formally declaring the Board inaugurated.
The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, also expressed his joy at the inauguration, highlighting the increasing number of land disputes in the region. He encouraged the new members to approach their duties with diligence and help address land-related challenges.
Chairman of the newly inaugurated Board, Mr. Theophilus Aidoo -Mensah, thanked the outgoing leadership and pledged to build upon their legacy. He assured stakeholders of his commitment to working closely with members of the Commission to deliver on their mandate.
The 23-member Board comprises the following individuals:
- Theophilus Aidoo Mensah – Chairman
- Seth Boakye Owusu – Regional Lands Officer (Secretary)
- Okoamankra Kname Akonu X – Central Region House of Chiefs representative
- Paul Arkorful – Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) representative
- Eric Mensah – Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (A.A.K) representative
- Richard Odoom Mensah – Gomoa West representative
- Powerful K. Ocran – Assin South representative
- Abraham Dwuma Odoom – Ghana Association of Former Executives (GNAFE)
- John Bismark Afenyi – Mfantseman representative
- Winston Churchill Ken-Arthur – Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA)
- Frederick Johnson – Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly representative
- Eric Owusu Sarpong – Upper Denkyira West representative
- Nana Kwesi Aseidu IV – Appendu representative
- Solomon Gyasi – Ghana Bar Association representative
- Emmanuel Essoun – Gomoa Central representative
- Dr. Ackon Baah – Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira representative
- Abraham Ato Addo Annan – Effutu Municipal representative
- Ernestina Atomboa Sackey – Agona East representative
- Kwaku J.E. Adams – Agona West representative
- Nana William Ayesu-Appiah – Assin Odoben-Brakwa representative
- Gregory Ankomah-Gyekye – Assin Central representative
- Joseph Kofi Aidoo – Ekumfi representative
- George Enoh Duodu – Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (ASW) representative
Also in attendance were the Acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Director of the Public and Vested Lands Management Division (PVLMD), Surv. Cynthia Odametey, Hon. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan (MP for Cape Coast South), and staff of the Lands Commission.
The event marks a renewed commitment to addressing land administration challenges in the Central Region and advancing sustainable development through proper land governance.
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