The newly inaugurated Central Regional Lands Commission Board has been charged with steering a new era of efficiency, transparency, and accountability in Ghana’s land administration. The call came from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during a swearing-in ceremony held in Cape Coast.
“Land remains the bedrock of our socio-economic development, and I am confident that your collective experience will advance the Government’s agenda for sustainable land management,” the Minister affirmed, stressing the critical role of the Commission in the national development framework.
The Central Region, known for its vibrant tourism, agriculture, and cultural significance, faces growing pressure from urban expansion, illegal encroachment, and land disputes. Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah warned against complacency and called for bold leadership in tackling these issues.
“We need the Commission’s proactive leadership to enforce lawful ownership and curb land guard activities. Illegal mining and unauthorized sand-winning degrade arable land and pollute river bodies. I urge the Commission to rigorously enforce the Land Act.” he stressed.
To meet expectations, the Minister outlined a strategic roadmap including:
Fast-tracking land registration processes to achieve a 30-day turnaround.
Decentralizing land services to district levels for broader accessibility.
Strengthening mediation to resolve chieftaincy and family land disputes.
Protecting coastal and wetland zones from unregulated development.
Enhancing staff professionalism and public accountability.
“Your role in providing secure, well-documented land cannot be overstated,” he concluded.
Mr. Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Chair of the newly sworn-in 23-member Board, expressed gratitude to his predecessors and pledged to build on their achievements.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included Hon. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, MP for Cape Coast South, as well as senior officials from the Lands Commission and related agencies.
The inauguration signals a renewed government push to confront land-related challenges and unlock economic value through robust land governance in the Central Region.
