New office complex for Greater Accra Regional Land C’ssion inaugurated

Mr Jinapor (3rd from left) cutting the ribbon to open the facility

A new office complex for the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission was yesterday inaugurated in Accra with a call on staff to work towards improving productivity for efficient land administration.

The facility with a number of offices, conference room and an auditorium was funded with internally generated funds (IGF) of the Commission.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, who inaugurated the facility said land was the fulcrum to the success of all sectors of the economy including agriculture, mining, security, manufacturing, finance, trade, education, transportation, infrastructure, energy and health.

Per the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), he said, it was estimated that about 90 per cent of Ghana’s population derive their livelihoods directly or indirectly from land.

“Apart from its importance to development, land in our country is of cultural significance. Our traditional political systems and our political economy, revolve around our land ownership and tenure,” the Minister noted.

Transformation of the national economy and the much-needed development and prosperity, he said, could not be achieved if the country fails to anchor an effective land administration adding that “the adverse consequences of ineffective, fraudulent and weak land administration is very damning.”

In this regard, Mr Jinapor said, Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution established the Lands Commission to, among others, manage public lands, see to the effective registration of land, and formulate national policies for the administration and use of land.

Additionally, he stated that, the Article 260 further established the Regional Lands Commissions in each region, to perform the functions of the Commission in the respective areas.

He said the new office was to equip and empower the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission to perform their constitutional functions and ensure efficient land administration.

In addition to that, Mr Jinapor noted that, the government was championing reforms in land administration with the view of transforming the Commission into a modern, efficient, and customer-centric institution capable of meeting the diverse needs of the Ghanaian society.

Already, six new Regional offices for the new regions have been completed while a Satellite Client Service Access Units (CSAU) in all regional offices of the commission were also being established to ensure greater accessibility and efficiency in land-related transactions.

The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Mr Benjamin Arthur, said the project formed part of efforts by the management to ensure that staff of the commission work within a conducive environment that enhances productivity.

He said, the Commission was committed to ensuring the adequate maintenance and utilisation of the edifice to effectively support the back office operations towards improved lands service operations.

Alex Quaynor, National Chairman of the Lands Commission, noted, that a new office complex in Tema would soon be operational to provide all services to clients in the area.

BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS