The government will soon release a comprehensive list of individuals, companies and organisations that applied for or acquired public lands between 2017 and 2024, as part of efforts to promote transparency in the management of state lands.
The announcement was made by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, during a press conference on Wednesday, March 11.
According to him, the decision forms part of broader reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Lands Commission to strengthen oversight and accountability in the allocation and administration of public lands across the country.
Over 8,000 Applications Reviewed
Mr. Sulemana disclosed that authorities have reviewed more than 8,000 applications for public lands submitted by individuals, private companies and organisations during the period under review.
The exercise, he said, examined the processes through which government lands were acquired or leased and assessed whether applicants met the necessary requirements.
The review uncovered several irregularities, including cases where some allocations did not satisfy the required procedures. As a result, some of the applications have been revoked.
“Over 8,000 applications were reviewed; some have been revoked, while those completed applications have not been revoked,” he explained.
Public Disclosure to Promote Transparency
The Deputy Minister stressed that publishing the information will allow the public to know who acquired government lands, the size of the lands, and the amounts paid for them.
“There is a need for the public to know who has acquired what and how much was paid, and so very soon we will publish all the names of people who bought government lands,” he said.
Regional Publication of Land Records
Mr. Sulemana added that one of the key recommendations approved by Cabinet was the public disclosure of all applications reviewed.
He said the Lands Commission will publish the records on a regional basis, covering both completed and uncompleted public land applications submitted by individuals, companies and organisations.
The move is expected to enhance public accountability and transparency in the management of Ghana’s public lands while helping to address concerns about the allocation of state-owned property.