In a decisive move aimed at protecting public interest and ensuring sustainable development, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Lands Commission to immediately halt the sale, lease, and processing of transactions involving State and Public Lands.
The directive, issued on January 10, 2025, underscores the administration’s commitment to reclaiming lands improperly sold or leased to private entities in recent years, particularly under the leadership of the previous Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.
The Office of the President has tasked the Lands Commission to submit a comprehensive report detailing all recent and ongoing transactions involving State and Public Lands within 14 days. This step is seen as critical to assessing the scope of land mismanagement and implementing corrective measures.
President Mahama’s directive seeks to address the alarming trend of prime public lands being sold or leased for private estate developments at the expense of the state.
In Kumasi, for example, lands originally earmarked for government projects have reportedly been sold, leaving the government with limited options for future developments like public theaters or other critical infrastructure.
The Kumasi Ridge and Nhyiaeso residential areas have become focal points of controversy, with critics decrying the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreements that have facilitated private developments on public lands.
These agreements, critics argue, prioritize private interests over the collective good.
Historical Context and Current Reforms
This issue is not new. During the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, significant parcels of public lands in prime locations such as Ridge and Danyame were allegedly sold for as little as GHS 200 to government officials.
The late President John Evans Atta Mills established a special task force to recover these lands, a precedent that President Mahama now seeks to build upon.
President Mahama’s bold decision to halt all transactions involving State and Public Lands represents a continuation of efforts to safeguard public assets from exploitation.
By addressing the loopholes and irregularities in the management of State Lands, the government aims to create a transparent and accountable framework for land administration.
A Call for National Support
Ghanaians across the country are being urged to rally behind President Mahama’s vision of reclaiming public lands for the benefit of current and future generations. Public lands are invaluable resources that, when managed responsibly, can serve as a foundation for national development and economic growth.
Failure to act decisively in protecting these assets risks leaving a legacy of poor leadership and missed opportunities. As President Mahama rightly points out, safeguarding public lands is a responsibility owed to future generations—a responsibility that cannot be compromised.
President John Dramani Mahama’s firm stance on halting the sale and processing of State and Public Lands has been met with widespread commendation. His administration’s commitment to reclaiming lands improperly acquired or sold sends a clear message: public resources must serve the collective good, not private interests.
Ghanaians are hopeful that this initiative will not only recover stolen lands but also set a new standard for transparency and accountability in land administration, ensuring that the country’s resources are preserved for generations to come.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Isaac Justice Bediako
