Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has charged the newly constituted board of the Greater Accra Region Lands Commission to aggressively fight against illegal multiple sale of lands and landguardism in the Region.
The Minister observed that illegal encroachment on public lands, landguardism, boundary disputes, unauthorised building on waterways, land related litigations and general indiscipline often hampered investments in the Region and urged the new board to curb those challenges head-on.
Mr Buah gave the directive during the inauguration of the newly constituted board of the Greater Accra Region Lands Commission in Accra.
Mr Buah pledged to work collaboratively with the security agencies to enforce land legislation to ensure sanity in the land sector.
The 31-member board is chaired by Isaac Nii Djanmah Vanderpuye, a former deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, for a period of four years to ensure efficient land administration in the Region.
Her Ladyship Evylen Asamoah, a High Court Judge, administered the Oath of Office, Allegiance and Secrecy to members of the board.
The Lands Minister entreated the new board to work assiduously to digitise all land records and ensure efficient land services for Ghanaians.
Mr Buah underscored the need for the board to uphold professionalism, honesty, integrity and efficiency in land management across the Region.
“You’re to advice the local and traditional authorities on policy framework, the development of particular areas of the Region in line with development planning, land-use suitability and assist and recommend a comprehensive development to title to lands in the Region,” the Minister emphasised.
Professor Anthony Owusu-Ansah, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, said 80 per cent of the challenges in the Region were land related and, therefore, entreated the new board to make strenuous efforts to addressing those challenges without fear or favour.
Madam Linda Ocloo, the Regional Minister, in her welcome remarks, noted that land played a critical role in every development initiative and thus, entreated the board to curtail any improper land utilisation activities to attract investment to the Region.
Isaac Nii Djanmah Vanderpuye, the Chairperson of the Board, on behalf of the board members, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to ensure efficient land delivery services in the Region.
GNA
