The President of the Republic, John Mahama, has lifted the temporary ban on the sale of state lands, paving the way for their sale, lease, and processing under strict, transparent, and accountable measures.
The ban, which took effect on January 10, was imposed to allow for a comprehensive and holistic review of the country’s land management system.
Speaking at the unveiling of the newly constituted Board of Directors of the Lands Commission in Accra on Tuesday, September 2, President Mahama explained that the suspension revealed loopholes in the management of state lands and strengthened the government’s resolve to clean up the system.
“My government imposed a temporary ban on the sale of state lands to enable a thorough review of contracts. The exercise has revealed valuable insights into our current system and the reforms that are required,” he said.
He emphasized that all future land transactions will now pass through a transparent, digitally verified process under strict oversight to guarantee integrity and restore public trust.
“The lifting of the ban does not signify a return to business as usual. It signals a new, disciplined era of land management. We are embarking on a reset that prioritises transparency, fairness, and justice in land administration,” the President added.
Outlining the pillars of the government’s land reforms, President Mahama highlighted:
- Restoring public confidence in land administration through transparency, fairness, and justice.
- Reversing illegal land transactions by reclaiming encroached lands and safeguarding public assets.
- Digitising, modernising, and decentralising land services to improve access and efficiency.
- Harmonising customary and statutory land systems to promote equity and coherence.
The eight-month review period allowed authorities to examine contracts, identify problematic allocations, and design comprehensive reforms. Findings from this exercise will guide future land administration policies throughout Mahama’s presidency.
Economic observers note that the reopening of state land transactions could stimulate the construction and real estate sectors, which faced constraints during the moratorium. However, they caution that the success of the initiative depends on the effective implementation of the promised transparency measures.
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Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
