Sunyani: Two Customary Land Secretariats have been inaugurated in Sunyani in the Bono Region and Kwahu Obomeng in the Eastern Region to promote effective, transparent, and accountable land administration at the customary level. The initiative is part of the government's commitment, under the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL), to serve as a reliable repository of land records and promote orderly planning and use of land.
According to Ghana News Agency, this development was communicated through a statement signed by Mr. Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, the Administrator of Stool Lands, and shared with the agency in Accra. Mr. Akwensivie lauded the efforts of the traditional authorities in Sunyani and Kwahu Obomeng for their roles in establishing the secretariats, emphasizing the ceremony's reflection of a deep sense of responsibility towards their communities.
Mr. Akwensivie remarked on the potential impact of well-managed land on national development, highlighting that mismanagement could lead to conflicts and hinder progress. With about eighty percent of lands in Ghana held under customary ownership, he stressed the significant responsibility on traditional leaders to manage land for the benefit of both current and future generations.
Currently, approximately 100 Customary Land Secretariats operate across different parts of Ghana, strengthening collaboration between customary authorities and state institutions. These institutions include the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, the Lands Commission, the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, the National Development Planning Authority, and various Land-Based NGOs.
Mr. Akwensivie emphasized that the effective management of the secretariats is crucial for fostering cordial working relationships among stakeholders in land administration within communities. He urged staff and Land Management Committees to uphold integrity, professionalism, and accountability to earn and maintain public trust.
Furthermore, the Administrator of Stool Lands encouraged the people of Sunyani and Kwahu Obomeng to support the secretariats' operations by utilizing their services, underscoring that a well-functioning secretariat requires collaboration between traditional authorities and the community.
Mr. Akwensivie reiterated the government's commitment to supporting such initiatives and assured that the OASL and the Lands Commission would continue to provide technical support to ensure that land secretariats achieve their intended purpose as outlined in the Land Act 2020. He also challenged the Land Management Committees of both secretariats to set an example for other land-owning communities in the country who have yet to establish similar secretariats.