President John Dramani Mahama says the resumption of state and public land transactions marks the beginning of a new era of accountability in land administration, not a return to “business as usual.”
Announcing the lifting of the eight-month freeze on land sales, leases, and processing at the inauguration of the newly constituted Lands Commission Board on Tuesday, September 2, the President stressed that the pause had exposed deep structural weaknesses in the system.
“Our review revealed significant flaws that cannot be ignored,” President Mahama said. “This is why every land transaction going forward will undergo digital verification and strict oversight to guarantee fairness and integrity.”
The temporary suspension, which took effect on January 10, 2025, was introduced to allow government to audit ongoing contracts and weed out irregularities. Officials say the findings underscored the urgent need for reforms to address corruption, political interference, and opaque dealings in public land management.
Under the new framework, all future allocations will be subjected to digital tracking, open verification, and tighter scrutiny by the Lands Commission — reforms the President described as a “reset” aimed at restoring public trust.
“The lifting of the ban signals discipline and transparency,” Mahama told the new Board members. “Ghanaians deserve a land administration system that is just, accountable, and beyond reproach.”
By repositioning land administration as a pillar of good governance, the government hopes to strengthen investor confidence, protect communities, and ensure that state lands serve the broader public interest.
