Accra: The National House of Chiefs has firmly rejected the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendation to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission. The House insists that the OASL should remain a separate and independent constitutional body under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to Ghana Web, the National House of Chiefs emphasizes that the creation of the OASL as an independent entity was a request by member Chiefs on the Consultative Assembly before the 1992 Constitution's passage. This decision was rooted in the poor management of stool land revenue under the previous Lands Commission. The Chiefs argue that the OASL was established to manage stool land revenue efficiently, ensure transparency, and promote accountability. Additionally, it was designed to protect stool lands and support traditional authorities in land management.
The House outlines several reasons for opposing the merger, stating that the OASL was created specifically for Chiefs and has successfully managed its functions since its inception. The Chiefs assert that merging the OASL with the Lands Commission would undermine the agency's purpose, which is to support and assist Stool and Skin lands administration. They argue that the proposed merger would complicate bureaucratic processes and put stool land revenue at risk.
The National House of Chiefs also points out that the Lands Commission is currently facing numerous legal challenges, which could jeopardize the effective management of stool land revenue. They stress that the assumption that merging the two agencies will enhance efficiency is unfounded, as existing laws already require collaboration between the OASL and the Lands Commission.
Furthermore, the Chiefs highlight the inefficiencies in state and vested lands management by the Lands Commission, citing controversies and delays in releasing ground rent from vested lands to the OASL. They also reference the unsuccessful merger of four land sector agencies in 2008, which has not yielded the desired results in public land management and registration.
The House recalls that the separation of the Administrator of Stool Lands from the Lands Commission was due to the latter's excessive workload, which affected service delivery efficiency. They argue that the establishment of separate commissions for various natural resources, as recommended in the 1992 Constitution, was intended to prevent similar setbacks.
The Chiefs have urged the government to strengthen the OASL's operational capabilities rather than merging it with the Lands Commission. They call for financial clearance to recruit more officers to manage the customary land sector effectively, which controls the largest landmass in Ghana. The Chiefs advocate for expanding the OASL's mandate to cover other customary lands, thereby supporting local development projects.
In conclusion, the National House of Chiefs firmly believes that the current structure should remain unchanged, questioning the need for fixing something that is not broken.