Lands Commission Board urged to address rising land issues in Western-North

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has raised concerns about land issues in the Western-North region. These problems are increasing due to rising investment interest in natural resources.

Hon. Buah noted that cocoa farming, timber, mining, and agriculture drive the economy. However, land disputes and unauthorized developments threaten growth prospects. He spoke at the inaugural ceremony of the Western-North Regional Commission Board.

The region's rich natural resources attract many investors. Unfortunately, this has led to ownership conflicts among stools, families, and individuals. Such disputes deter potential investors and stall development initiatives.

“Unauthorized land sales and boundary disputes undermine investor confidence,” he said. “This leads to haphazard community expansion.” The situation is especially serious in farming and mining areas where tensions are rising.

The Minister also highlighted illegal mining, known as galamsey. This practice damages arable lands and pollutes water bodies like the Tano and Bia rivers. Farmers often feel pressured to give up their lands to illegal miners.

This jeopardizes food security and ecological stability. Additionally, unlicensed surveyors and estate agents are causing more problems by encroaching on public lands with traditional authorities' help.

To address these issues, Hon. Buah called for strict enforcement of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036). This law imposes severe penalties for unlawful land transactions. He tasked the Lands Commission with restoring order in the land sector.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined key priorities for the Commission:

1. Reduce land registration turnaround time to 30 working days.
2. Decentralize land services for district-level access within two months.
3. Prevent unlawful conversion of stool lands into family lands against customary law.
4. Combat encroachment on public lands like forests and water bodies.
5. Enforce strict supervision among Lands Commission staff.

He acknowledged challenges faced by the Commission but emphasized that results will measure its effectiveness. “Your mandate is crucial to regional development,” he stated.

Hon. Wilbert Petty Brentum, Northern Regional Minister, mentioned that board members were carefully selected for their experience in land administration. He expressed hope they would show commitment and professionalism in their roles.

The Western North Regional Coordinating Council will collaborate with Nanamo and the Regional Lands Commission for smooth land administration in the region.

Mr. George Kobina Richardson, chairman of the board, thanked the government for this opportunity. He pledged that the Board would ensure effective and transparent land administration in Western-North.