The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has charged the newly inaugurated Western Regional Lands Commission Board to drastically reduce the turnaround time for land registration to 30 working days and decentralize the registration process to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 22-member board in Sekondi, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to streamline land administration in the region. He questioned why individuals must travel to regional offices to complete basic land transactions and urged the board to leverage their expertise to reform outdated practices.
“Reduce land registration turnaround time to 30 working days. Lower the cost of land services by making them accessible at the district level,” he said. “We must also prevent the unlawful conversion of stool lands to family lands where such actions violate customary law.”
The Minister called on the board to enforce strong oversight of Lands Commission personnel to uphold professionalism and deter corruption. He also stressed the importance of protecting public lands from encroachment, including open spaces, wetlands, nature reserves, and coastal zones.
Tackling Illegal Mining and Land Misuse
Mr. Buah also raised concerns over the growing threat of illegal mining (galamsey) and encroachment on public and private lands. He noted that in many areas, landowners and farmers are pressured into ceding their land to galamsey operators, leading to environmental degradation and pollution of key water bodies like the Tano, Pra, and Ankobra Rivers.
“Such activities endanger human security and will not be tolerated. The destruction of arable lands and forest reserves must be addressed decisively.”
He further warned against the rise in unauthorized land sales, especially of agricultural lands and beachfronts, which are being sold for speculative purposes in violation of land use planning laws.
The Minister urged the board to collaborate with traditional authorities and government agencies to tackle these challenges. He reminded them of their legal obligations under Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution and the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767).
Regional Collaboration and Oversight
Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of teamwork in resolving the growing number of land litigations in the region. He encouraged traditional leaders and land administrators to prioritize land allocation for productive investments.
“Our land must be used to attract investment and development. Teamwork among stakeholders is essential if the region is to fully benefit from its rich land resources,” he noted.
Dr. Pius Asumadu, Western Regional Director of the Lands Commission, welcomed the inauguration of the board, revealing that several land documents have been awaiting board validation for over four months. He appealed to the members to take their roles seriously and help clear the backlog.
Board Composition
The reconstituted 22-member Western Regional Lands Commission Board brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds, including land administration, academia, and traditional leadership. The board is chaired by Prof. Frederick Boakye-Yiadom of Takoradi Technical University.
As the region grapples with increasing land disputes and environmental pressures, the Board faces a critical task in restoring public trust and promoting sustainable land management practices.
