Lands Minister Directs Board to Cut Land Registration Time to 30 Days
Minister Warns Against Galamsey and Unlawful Land Sales
- Land registration must be completed within 30 working days
- Decentralise land services to the district level for easier access
- Curb illegal mining, land encroachment, and unlawful land sales
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged the newly reconstituted 23-member Western Regional Lands Commission Board to streamline land registration processes, targeting a maximum turnaround time of 30 working days.
He emphasized the importance of decentralizing land services to the district level to make them more accessible and efficient for the public.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Sekondi, the Minister challenged the board to use their expertise to improve service delivery and eliminate the need for individuals to travel long distances to regional offices for basic land registration procedures.
He outlined key priorities for the Board, including reducing land registration delays, making land services more affordable and locally accessible, and protecting public lands from illegal encroachment.
He also stressed the importance of preventing the improper conversion of stool lands to family lands, which violates customary law.
The Minister expressed concern about the ongoing threat of illegal mining, or galamsey, noting its destructive impact on farmland, forests, and major water bodies such as the Tano, Pra, and Ankobra rivers. He warned that such practices undermine human security and will face strict enforcement under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).
He also pointed to the rising problem of unlicensed surveyors and estate agents, as well as unauthorized sales of agricultural and coastal lands for speculation—issues that fuel conflicts and obstruct regional development.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah urged the Board to collaborate with government bodies, landowners, and traditional authorities to find lasting solutions and uphold professional standards among Lands Commission staff.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson highlighted the region’s ongoing land disputes and encouraged the Board to work together to unlock the full potential of the Western Region’s land resources. He also called on traditional landowners and land administrators to prioritize land allocation for productive investment.
Dr. Pius Asumadu, Regional Director of the Lands Commission, underscored the timeliness of the Board’s inauguration, noting a backlog of land documents pending validation. He appealed to the new Board members to be diligent in fulfilling their duties.
The 23-member Board, chaired by Professor Frederick Boakye-Yiadom of Takoradi Technical University, includes professionals from various sectors such as academia, land administration, and the House of Chiefs.
