Reduce land registration to 30 days, decentralise process – Lands Minister to Board

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has addressed the new 23-member Western Regional Lands Commission Board. He urged them to reduce land registration processes to just 30 working days. He also emphasized the need to decentralize these processes. This will encourage more people to register their lands.

Buah made these remarks during the board's inauguration in Sekondi. He questioned why everyone must travel to the regional office for registration. He encouraged board members to use their expertise to improve these processes.

He outlined several key goals for the board. These include reducing registration time, lowering service costs, and preventing illegal land conversions. The minister also stressed combating encroachment on public lands and ensuring staff professionalism.

Buah praised the board members but warned them about galamsey activities and land encroachers. Many farmers face pressure to give up their land for illegal mining. This leads to destruction of arable land and pollution of rivers like Tano, Pra, and Ankobra.

He noted that unlicensed surveyors and estate agents are increasing in the region. Encroachment on public lands often involves customary land claimants, creating tensions with government agencies. There are also reports of fraudulent sales of agricultural tracts and beachfronts.

These practices hinder progress and must stop. The Land Act of 2020 introduces strict penalties for such misconduct. Given these challenges, the Western Regional Lands Commission has a significant task ahead.

Buah called on board members to collaborate with government agencies and landowners for practical solutions. He referenced Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution and the Lands Commission Act of 2008 as guiding frameworks.

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson acknowledged ongoing land litigations as a concern in the region. He urged board members to work together on all land issues for regional benefit. Nelson also advised prioritizing lands for investment in Western Region.

Dr. Pius Asumadu, Western Regional Director of the Lands Commission, highlighted the importance of this inauguration. Several land documents have been pending validation for four months due to delays in forming this board.

He appealed to members to commit fully to their responsibilities so that they can fulfill their mandate effectively. The reconstituted board includes 22 members from various backgrounds, including academia and traditional authorities, chaired by Prof. Frederick Boakye-Yiadom from Takoradi Technical University.