he Lands Commission has introduced an online land search service that allows prospective property buyers to verify land information before making payments, in a move aimed at reducing the risk of fraudulent land transactions in Ghana.
The service enables applicants to submit site plans electronically, pay search fees through mobile money and receive search reports by email without having to rely solely on the traditional process.
Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Operations at the Lands Commission, Surveyor Raphael Hokey, announced the development on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, October 14, explaining how the public can access the service.
He said prospective buyers must visit the Commission’s online services portal at onlineservices.lc.gov.gh and upload the site plan of the land they intend to acquire.
Applicants are then required to pay the applicable search fee through the mobile money option available on the platform, after which the search report is sent to their email following the completion of the process.
The initiative is expected to make land searches more convenient and give buyers an opportunity to check relevant land records before committing their money to a purchase.
Online land searches expand to more regions
Mr Hokey disclosed that the service was operational in 10 of Ghana’s 16 regions, with the Ashanti Region expected to be added during the week of the announcement.
He identified the six newly created regions, alongside Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and Western regions, as areas covered by the service.
“This is available for lands in the six new regions, Greater Accra, Volta Region, Eastern Region, Western Region and just this week, we are starting from Ashanti,” he said.
The planned expansion to Ashanti is expected to extend access to online land searches to more prospective property buyers.
How to conduct an online land search
Prospective buyers seeking to use the service are required to follow four basic steps:
- Visit the portal: Access the Lands Commission’s online services platform at onlineservices.lc.gov.gh.
- Upload the site plan: Submit the site plan of the property for which information is required.
- Pay the search fee: Complete payment through the mobile money option provided on the platform.
- Receive the report: Check the email address provided for the search report after the process is completed.
The online service provides an additional channel for checking land information before a transaction is finalised.
However, prospective buyers should ensure that they review the search report carefully and seek further clarification from the Lands Commission where necessary before completing a purchase.
