The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, has officially inaugurated the reconstituted board of the Western Regional Lands Commission, charging them to ensure an effective and efficient land administration system in the region.
The 22-member board, comprising distinguished and experienced Lands Commission staff and government appointees, has been tasked with implementing key initiatives to enhance the operations of the Lands Commission in the region.
Among its mandates, the board is expected to:
Reduce land registration turnaround time to 30 working days,
Lower the cost of land services by decentralizing access to district offices, and
Prevent the unlawful conversion of stool lands to family lands where such actions contravene customary law.
Additionally, the board must collaborate with the management and staff of the Western Regional Lands Commission to:
Combat encroachment on public lands, including open spaces, nature reserves, wetlands, and coastal areas, and
Ensure strict supervision of staff to uphold professionalism and high service standards.
In his inauguration address, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted critical land-related challenges in the region requiring urgent attention. He urged the board to address issues such as multiple land sales and illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
“Unregulated land sales by multiple claimants, often disregarding authorized planning schemes, have led to haphazard development and poor land use. Rapid community expansion near rubber and oil palm plantations, the Atuabo Gas Plant, and the proposed Petroleum Hub in Jomoro has further exacerbated tensions in recent times.
“We must also confront the galamsey menace. Disturbingly, many farmers and landowners are coerced into relinquishing their lands for illegal mining. This has resulted in the wanton destruction of arable land and forest resources, as well as the pollution of major rivers such as the Tano, Pra, and Ankobra. These activities pose a threat to human security and will not be tolerated,” he stated.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that proactive measures by the Western Regional Lands Commission would help resolve pressing land issues and reform land administration in Ghana’s resource-rich region.
“Addressing these challenges demands proactive strategies. I am confident that you are equal to the task. The public and the government have high expectations, especially as we implement projects to revive the economy and create jobs for our youth. Since land is the foundation of these initiatives, your role is pivotal. I urge you to embrace this responsibility with dedication, working to transform the region into a thriving business hub that generates opportunities for all,” he said.
He also expressed the government’s appreciation to the outgoing board members for their service.
“I extend the government’s gratitude to the outgoing Regional Lands Commission for their contributions to the region. We wish them success in their future endeavors,” he added.
Prof. Frederick Boakye-Yiadom – Chairman, of the newly inaugurated Board, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the government for entrusting him with the responsibility and pledged the Board’s unwavering commitment to executing their duties with integrity to serve the nation whiles delivering effective and transparent land administration in the Western Region.
The newly inaugurated 22-member board includes:
Prof. Frederick Boakye-Yiadom – Chairman
Dr. Pius Basoah Asumadu, Regional Lands Officer;
Pln. Mrs. Ama Akyire Akyina Ferkah, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority;
Surv. Daniel Odotei Brown, Ghana Institution of Surveyors;
Constantine Kojo Mawuena Kudzedzi, Esq., Ghana Bar Association; and
Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX, Western Regional House of Chiefs.
Other members comprise the chief executives of the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Western Region.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
