Kumasi: The newly reconstituted Board of the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission has been inaugurated to ensure efficient land administration in the Region. The Board, among other things, was tasked to play a critical role towards combating illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as ‘galamsey’.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who represented the Lands Minister at the inauguration ceremony in Kumasi, entreated the Board to work collaboratively with the relevant stakeholders to ensure efficient land administration. Mr. Sulemana, also the Member of Parliament for Bole, lauded the outgoing Regional Land Commissioners for their invaluable services and urged the new Board to uphold the Commission’s mandate as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767).
He charged the Board to promote judicious use of the land and ensure sustainable development in line with the national development goals. Mr. Sulemana remarked: ‘The land sector is fundamental to the economic transformation agenda of the President and you’re coming at a time the Commission is expected to be more innovative and responsive to the changing demands of land governance.’
While acknowledging the Region’s strategic importance in the country’s agriculture, mining, commerce, and real estate sectors, Mr. Sulemana expressed concern about the increasing land degradation due to the illegal mining activities. The Deputy Minister noted that the illegal mining menace had destroyed arable farmlands and polluted major water bodies in the Region, especially in the Amansie and Asante Akim districts.
He assured of the government’s commitment to eradicating the illegal mining phenomenon, and urged the new Board to serve as agents of change in the Region. He also acknowledged the Manhyia Land Secretariat under the leadership of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for automating Customary Land Administration. The Deputy Minister recommended that similar models be adopted in other traditional areas nationwide, and encouraged traditional authorities to make land available for development purposes.
Mr. Baffour Owusu Bediako, the new Chairman of the Regional Lands Commission, pledged to lead the Commission in a transformative direction, focusing on enhancing service delivery and strengthening collaboration with traditional authorities. ‘Let us join forces to build a modern, transparent and efficient land administration system for the benefit of our people and development of the Region,’ Mr. Bediako stated.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Regional Minister, in his remarks, said the Regional Lands Commission was crucial towards strengthening land administration in the Region. He believed that the inauguration of the Board marked a major step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in land management. ‘It is vital that we have a functional, responsive, and well-structured Commission to guide the development processes in the Region,’ he added.
Professor Anthony Owusu-Ansah, the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, said the inauguration of the Regional Lands Board was timely since it would strengthen land governance and ensure efficient land services. It would also enhance strategic decision-making and ensure equitable land administration in the Region, he added.