Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission to embark on a comprehensive audit of all state lands allocated, leased, or sold between 2017 and 2024. The audit will focus on lands acquired for public institutions, including schools and hospitals, as well as forests and ecological zones converted to private use under questionable circumstances.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President emphasized that any transactions found to be illegal or improper will be reversed, and the land will be recovered by the government. He reassured those who have legally obtained land that the exercise is not a witch hunt, but a pursuit of fairness and justice. The directive was given during the inauguration of a 26-member Governing Board of the National Lands Commission, chaired by Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, at the Presidency in Accra.
President Mahama highlighted that the Sale of State Lands Committee has initiated its work and will soon submit its findings, which will serve as a blueprint for improving the management and protection of state lands. He stressed the need to transition from paper-based processes to digital systems, urging the Lands Commission to digitize all land records nationwide and integrate services across various departments.
The President also advocated for the use of blockchain technology to safeguard land data and called for the decentralization of operations by establishing functional land offices in all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. Over 300 qualified young professionals will be recruited to support this effort, aiming to reduce processing times for land documents to no more than 30 working days.
President Mahama made it clear that corruption within the Lands Commission will not be tolerated and emphasized the need for strict internal accountability. He called for transparency and discipline, stating that revenue generated by the Commission must be properly accounted for and used to enhance service delivery.
Recognizing the significant portion of land under customary tenure, the President announced plans for a new partnership with traditional authorities to ensure that all customary land transactions are digitally registered and publicly accessible. The reforms aim to provide training for traditional leaders, ensure equitable land access, and promote fair distribution of natural resource revenues.
Addressing issues of urban sprawl and encroachment on public lands, President Mahama stressed the importance of collaboration between the Lands Commission and other authorities to enforce zoning and planning regulations. He emphasized that urban development should be guided and integrated with national development priorities.
Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, the Chairperson of the Governing Board of the National Lands Commission, expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation.