The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has completed a nationwide review of 8,160 public land lease applications, covering all 16 regions of the country.
Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced the development at a press briefing on Monday, February 16, explaining that the exercise followed a directive issued by President John Mahama on January 10, 2025. The directive ordered the Lands Commission to suspend all activities relating to the lease and processing of public land transactions.
According to the Minister, the presidential intervention was aimed at safeguarding public lands, restoring discipline within land administration, and ensuring that all transactions serve the national interest.
Breakdown of Applications Reviewed
Armah-Kofi Buah disclosed that the reviewed applications comprised:
- 4,176 direct allocations
- 2,799 regularisations involving individuals who acquired land through various means but later discovered the lands were public property
- 19 direct allocations concerning state bungalows
- 108 land swap or public-private partnership arrangements, with 88 of these located in the Ashanti Region
- 795 subsequent transactions
- 265 fresh allocations
The review was conducted by a committee chaired by Deputy Lands Minister Alhaji Yusif Suleimana.
Key Findings
The Minister revealed that the committee identified procedural lapses in a number of the applications and allocations. Some transactions, he said, did not fully comply with the Lands Commission’s internal processes governing the allocation of public lands.
“These lapses undermine transparency,” he noted, adding that the findings raised concerns about adherence to established procedures.
Cabinet Approval and Next Steps
The committee has submitted its report and recommendations to Cabinet, which has approved them alongside additional directives for immediate implementation.
Armah-Kofi Buah said the new measures are designed to tighten oversight, strengthen compliance mechanisms, and ensure that public lands are managed with integrity and in a manner that supports national development.
He stressed that the review forms part of the government’s broader reform efforts to rebuild public confidence in the administration of public lands.
Story by Sheila Otuo – Baffour