Deputy Lands Minister inaugurates Oti Regional Lands Commission

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, has inaugurated the Oti Regional Lands Commission Board, emphasising its critical role in national development and land governance. The ceremony took place on Thursday, 22nd May, 2025.

Yusif Sulemana highlighted the Commission’s constitutional mandate under Article 258(1) of the 1992 Constitution to manage public and private lands, while advising Government on land policy matters.

“This Board represents one of the most important institutions in our land administration system,” the Deputy Minister stated.

The Board’s composition, as prescribed by the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767), includes representatives from all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as the Ghana Institution of Surveyors.

“This makes it one of the most representative regional bodies,” the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources noted.

Key directives issued to the Board included: Prioritising public interest over personal gain in land administration decisions; Actively working to reduce land disputes in the region; Supporting the decentralisation of land registration services; Achieving a 30-working-day target for land registration processes; and Appointing a dedicated information officer to assist citizens.

The Deputy Minister expressed concern about persistent land conflicts hindering development and sometimes resulting in fatalities. “Land is the foundation of all development. We must work to eliminate these disputes completely,” he urged.

Yusif Sulemana emphasised that decentralised land registration would reduce transaction costs and increase registration rates, ultimately boosting national revenue.

He reiterated that the 30-day registration timeline is a Key Performance Indicator for the Board.

In response, the Board Chairman, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, pledged the members’ full commitment to improving land administration in the region.

“We recognise the importance of accountability in this role, especially regarding the government’s reset agenda,” he stated.

Nana Mprah thanked the Ministry for the appointment and assured that the Board would work diligently to address land-related challenges in the Oti Region.

 

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