Work towards restoring your credibility - Lands Minister to Lands Commission

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged the Lands Commission to improve its public image. He made this call during a visit to the Commission’s head office in Accra on April 8, 2025. This visit was part of his familiarization tour after his appointment.

During the meeting with management and staff, the Minister stressed the need for commitment to excellence. He acknowledged the long-standing public mistrust towards the Commission. "I expect the Lands Commission to align with the government's agenda," he stated. He believes that together they can make a difference in Ghana.

Buah highlighted important values like timeliness, dedication, hard work, and integrity in public service. He is confident that these values can transform the Lands Commission's image.

He also discussed operational efficiency and emphasized digitalizing processes to combat corruption. Digital transformation will enhance transparency and streamline service delivery.

The Minister assured staff that their remuneration packages would be reviewed to boost morale. "Motivated staff produce results," he said, emphasizing better working conditions.

A major challenge raised was the lack of a comprehensive national base map. This absence limits the Commission's ability to fulfill its mandate effectively. The Minister noted that about $165 million is needed for mapping and pledged to work with the Ministry of Finance for funding.

"We will pursue this agenda together," he said, urging staff to address issues within their control now. Deputy Minister Hon. Yusif Sulemana also encouraged management to meet their mandates while aligning with government goals.

Executive Secretary Mr. Benjamin Arthur briefed Buah on the Commission's structure and ongoing digitalization efforts. He echoed concerns about how lacking a national base map affects operations.

The visit concluded with a tour of facilities where Buah interacted with staff and inspected the National Data Center. His visit aims to position the Lands Commission as a trustworthy and efficient institution for national development.