The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia has admonished the Ministry of Lands, Lands Commission, traditional leaders and other land-related organizations to implement the new Land Act 2020 (Act 1063) to ensure that there is sanity and fairness in the management and administration of lands in Ghana
Speaking at the National Symposium organized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Accra, Dr Bawumia hinted that a comprehensive document about the use and administration of land is ready to be used by the government to safeguard the activities of players under the ministry.
“Today’s National Symposium marks a significant event in the history of land administration in Ghana. I say this because, for the first time, a Law on land administration has been passed to revise, harmonize, and consolidate laws on land to ensure sustainable land administration and management”, he said.
He was of the view that every economic activity undertaken by mankind has a relation to land and this phenomenon makes land remains a pivot to the national development therefore, it is imperative to ensure that the land sector becomes effective and efficient.
“The National Lands Policy 1999, the Coordinated Program of Economic and Social Development Policies (2017-2024), as well as Ghana Beyond Aid Strategy Document (2020), show that a functional land administration system is a catalyst for development.”, he indicated
Dr Bawumia observed several major challenges in the documentation and administration of land documents when he paid a surprised visit to the Lands Commission in 2018 and the situation has prompted the government to adopt technology in the land administration.
He lamented that successive Governments have tried resolving the challenges in our Land Administration system but these efforts have often come with various complications as a result of the inefficient deployment of resources.
He added, “Governments after governments, bank loans after bank loans, the fundamental problems in land administration persist, seemingly unsolvable and citizenries complaints get louder and louder”.
Dr Bawumia urged all stakeholders in the sector to play their parts in ensuring that the provisions of the Act becomes reality and not just another piece of legislation that gathers dust because he was of the view that Law itself does not resolve problems but its implementation.