Land's Commission
President John Mahama has taken a decisive step to protect Ghana’s public lands. On January 10, 2025, he ordered the Lands Commission to stop all transactions involving the sale, lease, or processing of state and public lands. This directive aims to ensure that these lands are preserved for the benefit of current and future generations.
The directive was communicated through a letter from Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Secretary to the President. It mandates the Lands Commission to cease all ongoing transactions and submit a detailed report of recent and pending deals within 14 days. This move signals Mahama’s commitment to reclaiming improperly acquired state assets, a promise he made during his 2024 election campaign.
Throughout his campaign, Mahama emphasized the need for transparency in land transactions. He vowed to investigate and retrieve state properties that were allegedly sold under questionable circumstances during the previous administration. At a rally in Accra, he stated, “The wealth of this country belongs to the people. We will investigate all fraudulent acquisitions and ensure that stolen public lands and properties are returned to the state.”
This halt on land transactions reflects Mahama’s dedication to his anti-corruption agenda. Concerns about the misuse of public lands have grown in recent years. Allegations surfaced during the Akufo-Addo administration that some lands were allocated to private individuals tied to top officials. For instance, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa pointed out that public lands in Accra were given to close associates of the former president for personal gain. He argued that it is unacceptable for public lands to become family assets.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer, also criticized these practices. He believes that public lands must serve the collective good, not individual interests. Gyampo called for a complete reversal of questionable land acquisitions, stating that public officials have betrayed the trust placed in them.
The immediate effect of President Mahama’s directive is to signal that his administration is serious about asset recovery. It also shows a commitment to improving transparency and accountability in land administration. Analysts expect that previous transactions involving state lands will come under scrutiny. The request for a detailed report from the Lands Commission could help identify lands acquired under dubious circumstances.
