In a bid to improve the delivery of land administration and management services in the country, the government has commissioned a new head office for the Lands Commission.
Delivering an address to mark the official opening of the facility in Accra, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, stated that the construction of the new head office of the Commission marks a pivotal moment in the government’s efforts to transform the lands sector.
He noted that the government has, for the past eight years, pursued a total transformation of the lands sector with the foundation of modern office infrastructure, digitisation and automation of business processes and well-motivated and knowledgeable staff.
He added that the new office complex has been equipped with digital equipment and tools, ensuring the smooth transition of the commission’s activities from a paper and human-driven concept to a digital one, guaranteeing efficiency and transparency.
Dr Bawumia said that with the lands sector playing such an important role in Ghana’s economy, the importance of a well-functioning land management system cannot be overemphasised and that the Lands Commission would be empowered to carry out its duty.
“Ghana’s land sector continues to play a critical role in our economy, shaping the development of our communities, cities and our nation as a whole. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) estimates that some 90% of our population derive their livelihoods directly or indirectly from land. A well-functioning land administration system is, therefore, essential for sustainable economic development, social cohesion and a vibrant investment climate. That is why building a robust and modern land administration must be the priority for all,” he said.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, commended Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for delivering on his 2018 promise of ensuring that the Lands Commission gets a modern and befitting office that fits the digitalisation plans the government intended to implement.
“This ultra-modern edifice stands as a testament to the commitment of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government to create an efficient, transparent and accessible land administration system as the pivot for economic growth and development. It will, undoubtedly, elevate the standard of land services delivery, ensuring that the Lands Commission and allied agencies provide top-notch services to Ghanaians and all those in need of land administration service,” he said.
He enumerated various infrastructure projects delivered by the government in the last eight years and noted that the land sector has witnessed unprecedented transformation under the government.
“In addition to this office complex, earlier this year, I commissioned, on behalf of the Government, a new Regional Office for the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission and an office complex for the Tema District Office is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of next year. We are also working to construct 12 new Regional Offices for the Commission across the country, to provide a conducive and congenial working environment for staff of the Commission and serve as motivation for efficient land service delivery,” he noted.
On his part, The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Benjamin Arthur, commended the government for its support in obtaining approval to undertake the 5-year land administration transformation project expected to take off in the first quarter of 2025.
The project, he stated, is targeted at creating a national up-to-date digital map to support all sectors of the comprehensive economy, a digital database of land records, layout and planning schemes for registrable lands, a robust Land Information System to support a total digitalization of operations of the Lands Commission, and Business Process Automation of selected services.
