President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the acquisition, allocation, and use of public lands in the Greater Accra Region, marking a significant step toward addressing decades-long disputes over land ownership and management.
Speaking at a durbar of Chiefs and People of the Greater Accra Region in Dodowa as part of his National “Thank You Tour,” Mahama noted that the issue of public lands had emerged as a consistent concern during his post-election engagements. He emphasized that the Commission would work closely with chiefs, legal experts, historians, and affected communities to develop a comprehensive report that could guide future policies.
“Many communities across the Greater Accra Region have repeatedly raised the matter of state lands and ancestral Ga-Dangme lands. These are legitimate concerns, tied deeply to historical injustices and emotional wounds that must be addressed,” he said.
Mahama revealed that one of his first directives upon assuming office was to instruct the Lands Commission to halt the sale and processing of government lands, a measure that remains in force.
This decision followed the findings of the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) Committee, which exposed the sale of prime government and Ga-Dangme lands to politically connected individuals for as little as GH₵45,000, despite their true value being in the millions. Mahama said the Attorney General had already begun investigations into these alleged transactions.
In addressing chieftaincy disputes, Mahama acknowledged the constitutional limitations on government intervention but called on traditional councils to use the national and regional houses of chiefs as platforms for resolving conflicts peacefully and respectfully.
“I urge all traditional councils to engage in true dialogue and mutual respect, utilizing the established structures to address chieftaincy matters,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs stands ready to support these efforts.
Nungua Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, congratulated Mahama on his historic election victory, praising his leadership and the faith the Ghanaian people have shown in him.
Mahama’s National “Thank You Tour” is aimed at expressing gratitude to Ghanaians for their support in the December 7, 2024, general election, which marked his return to the presidency.
