President Mahama has officially lifted the temporary ban on state land transactions, which was introduced on January 10, 2025, to allow for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s land administration system. Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted National Lands Commission on September 2, he explained that the review exposed significant weaknesses in the current system and highlighted the urgent need for reforms.
With the adoption of new accountability measures and the establishment of a stronger framework, the President announced that land allocations, leases, and sales will now follow transparent procedures, integrate digital verification systems, and operate under strict oversight to prevent abuse. He emphasised that the lifting of the ban marks the beginning of a disciplined and modernised era in land management rather than a return to old practices.
The government’s new strategy focuses on four key pillars: restoring public confidence through transparency, fairness, and justice; reversing illegal land transactions by reclaiming encroached lands and protecting state assets; digitising, modernising, and decentralising land services for efficiency and accessibility; and harmonising customary and statutory land systems to ensure coherence and equity.
