Accra:The Lands Commission has announced plans to initiate legal action against individuals and organizations defaulting on ground rent payments, aiming to recover state revenue and enhance compliance with land administration laws.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Anthony Owusu-Ansah, Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, revealed this during the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources' Progress Series in Accra. He stated that the Commission has already begun legal processes against those defaulting on state and vested lands' leases.
The enforcement of these measures is expected to start fully in 2027, and Prof. Owusu-Ansah urged defaulters to settle their dues to avoid legal consequences. Ground rent payment is an annual lease obligation and not contingent on receiving demand notices from the Commission, he emphasized.
As of August 2026, the Commission has collected GHS40.7 million in ground rent, reaching 90.4% of its GHS45 million annual target. This amount surpasses the GHS32.02 million collected in 2025. Prof. Owusu-Ansah also called on leaseholders with expired leases to renew them promptly to avoid legal issues.
In terms of land administration reforms, Prof. Owusu-Ansah noted the ongoing implementation of the Enterprise Land Information System (ELIS) to enhance service delivery's efficiency and transparency. The platform is operational in the Greater Accra Region and nine other regions, with the Ashanti Regional Office expected to adopt the system by November 2026 and nationwide deployment by the end of 2027.
Additionally, Prof. Owusu-Ansah announced the progress on a new National Land Policy to replace the existing 1999 policy, with completion expected in 2027. The policy aims to address land governance challenges and promote sustainable management. The draft regulations for the Land Act, 2020, are also advancing, with parliamentary approval anticipated before the end of 2026.
The Commission is further decentralizing land administration services by establishing district offices and enhancing infrastructure projects, including building regional offices and completing the Greater Accra Regional Office Complex. The Commission is also developing a national Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network to improve surveying accuracy.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah highlighted the Commission's involvement in land acquisition and compensation for national projects, emphasizing its commitment to a modern and efficient land administration system supporting investment and development.