Gov’t Begins Major Overhaul of Land Administration System – Lands Minister

By:Maame Efua Kwaduah

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has announced a comprehensive reform agenda aimed at addressing long-standing challenges within Ghana’s land administration system, particularly at the Lands Commission.

Speaking during Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s visit to the Ministry on Tuesday, January 27, Mr. Buah noted that land administration remains one of the most problematic areas under his Ministry, pointing to his own personal experience as evidence of deep-seated systemic failures.

  “I lived in my own house for six years without a land title. It was only after I nominated Lands Minister that I received a message that my documents were being processed quickly. That is a true story,” he said.

According to the Minister, this experience revealed deep flaws in a system that is supposed to provide basic land services to Ghanaians, stressing that such a system “must change.”

Review of Lands Commission Operations

Mr. Buah explained that the Ministry began its reform journey by critically examining the core challenges facing the Lands Commission, including delays, missing records and abuse of authority.

One major concern identified, he said, was the management of public lands acquired by government for specific purposes. While some of these lands were used as intended, others were left unused and eventually became government property.

However, the Minister disclosed that individuals entrusted to protect these public lands had, in some cases, abused their positions by taking over such lands for personal use.

 “Because of this, it is the President’s firm resolve that we must get it right,” he said.

He revealed that a ministerial team, led by his deputy, was constituted to address these issues, leading to Cabinet approval of far-reaching recommendations to protect public lands.

 “By the time we finish implementing these reforms, no government official will even contemplate taking public land. If you do, your name will be published everywhere,” he warned.

He announced that Cabinet has approved a directive for all public lands already allocated or processed to be reviewed to ensure that proper procedures were followed. Any allocation that did not complete the required legal processes, he said, would be automatically cancelled.

 “We are implementing these recommendations to the letter to restore confidence and assure Ghanaians that public lands will be protected,” the Minister stated.

Digitisation of Land Records

Another major reform area, Mr. Buah said, is the digitisation of Lands Commission records, following years of complaints about missing files and bureaucratic delays.

 “You go to the Lands Commission and they tell you the officer handling your file is on maternity leave, or the file cannot be found. This cannot continue,” he said.

He announced that government has approved the retention of 70% of Lands Commission revenue, which will be dedicated over the next two years to fully digitising all land administration processes and services.

“The goal is that you can sit in the comfort of your home and access all Lands Commission services,” he added.

Land Banks for Agriculture and Investment

The Minister also disclosed that government is developing land banks to support agricultural investment, particularly in large-scale palm and crop production.

He explained that securing land has been a major challenge for investors, and the land bank initiative will eliminate uncertainty and delays.

 “We are working closely with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Food and Agriculture to ensure investors do not struggle to find land for agricultural production,” he noted.

Decentralisation of Lands Commission Services

To bring land services closer to the people, Mr. Buah said the Lands Commission has embarked on an aggressive decentralisation drive. He disclosed that 36 Lands Commission offices were opened last year, with a target to expand operations to 110 district-level offices nationwide.

 “There is no reason citizens should travel long distances to regional capitals just to access land title and registration services,” he said.

Policy Reforms and Customary Land Administration

The Minister announced that government is also reviewing outdated policies, including the National Land Policy, which has remained unchanged since the 1990s.

In addition, he said the Ministry has initiated measures to fully operationalise the Land Act, describing it as critical to resolving land disputes, especially those involving customary lands and traditional authorities.

Mr. Buah explained that government is working closely with the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and the Lands Commission to demarcate and document customary land boundaries across the country.

 “Instead of people saying, ‘my grandfather threw the boundary here,’ boundaries will be properly documented, demarcated and legally recognised,” he said.

He added that customary land secretariats are being established to ensure transparency and reduce conflicts.

Protection of Ghana’s Boundaries

On boundary matters, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s land and maritime boundaries, noting lessons learned from past disputes with neighbouring countries.

He said the Ministry is working closely with the Ghana Boundary Commission to secure Ghana’s borders with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Nigeria.

According to him, significant progress was made last year through joint fieldwork to identify boundary pillars and ensure mutual agreement on boundary lines.