The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring land in Ghana is secure, accessible, and efficiently administered, describing effective land governance as key to unlocking national development.
He made these remarks at the official inauguration of the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission Board, held at the Regional Coordinating Council. The ceremony marked the final step in the constitution of Regional Lands Commissions across the country, completing the process in all 16 regions.
In his address, the Minister, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, congratulated the newly appointed Board members, emphasizing that their selection reflects their integrity and dedication to public service.
“This moment marks yet another significant milestone in our pursuit of efficient, transparent, and accessible land administration,” he said. “The Lands Commission remains central to the Reset Agenda of the President. Land must be secure, accessible and efficiently administered to empower Ghanaians and catalyze national development.”
Citing Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution and the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767), the Minister outlined the statutory mandate of the Commission, stressing the responsibility of the regional board in managing public lands, advising on land use policies, and facilitating land title registration in line with development plans.
He acknowledged the unique land-related challenges facing the Greater Accra Region—including chieftaincy and boundary disputes, multiple sales of land, unregistered allodial holdings, and land guard activities—but assured stakeholders of Government’s commitment to address them.
To this end, Hon. Buah highlighted key reforms being undertaken, including:
- Implementation of Section 182 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) to ensure the registration of allodial titles;
- Integration of local development plans into the land registration database;
- Closer collaboration with the Judiciary to support land adjudication with accurate composite plans;
- The continued rollout of the Enterprise Land Information System (ELIS) to digitize land records and reduce corruption;
- The establishment of Customary Land Secretariats in partnership with traditional authorities to enhance transparency in land dealings.
The Minister also reiterated the President’s vision for a 24-hour economy, noting that secure land tenure and effective spatial planning are essential enablers of investment in housing, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
In a call to action, he charged the newly inaugurated Commission to embody professionalism, transparency, and responsiveness in their operations, pledging Government’s support throughout their tenure.
Also addressing the gathering, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Linda Akweley Ocloo, described the inauguration as “timely and critical,” urging the Board to take proactive measures to manage and protect both public and private lands in the region.
“I emphasize the need for vigilance in safeguarding state lands from illegal occupation,” she said, adding that the Regional Coordinating Council would provide the necessary support to ensure the Board’s effectiveness.
The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah, expressed delight at the successful inauguration, noting that Greater Accra’s land issues account for nearly 80% of national land-related cases. He welcomed the calibre of individuals appointed and pledged full institutional support for their work.
Thirty-seven members were sworn in, representing all metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the region, as well as key stakeholder institutions such as the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), the National House of Chiefs, and the Farmers and Fishermen Association. Mr. Isaac Nii Djanmah Vanderpuye was sworn in as Chairman, with Surv. Timothy Anyidoho, the Regional Lands Officer, as Secretary.
Also present were the Acting Deputy Executive Secretary (Operations), Mr. Anthony Mallen Ntiador, all four divisional directors, and staff of the Lands Commission.
The ceremony included the administration of the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Secrecy, followed by an acceptance speech from the Chairman, who pledged to work with all stakeholders to promote peaceful, transparent, and sustainable land management in the region.
