Govt reclaims public lands, plans new law on state asset disposal — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has reclaimed some public lands following a review of what he described as questionable land transactions as part of efforts to promote accountability and safeguard state assets.

He said the government had also suspended the processing of title documents for certain incomplete land allocations to prevent the improper disposal of public property.

“Government is determined to end the indiscriminate and undervalued disposal of public lands to politically exposed persons and other influential individuals,” he said.

President Mahama stressed that public lands must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner, insisting that state property should not be allocated arbitrarily or transferred through opaque processes.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, July 21, the President reiterated the government's intention to introduce legislation aimed at strengthening oversight over the disposal of public lands and other state assets.

“Government is also preparing legislation to ensure that the disposal of public lands and other state assets is subject to clear, transparent legal procedures and prior approval by Parliament,” he added.

His comments came after members of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, led by its President, Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, expressed concern over the protection of public lands.

The chiefs appealed to the government to include the House in the Greater Accra Public Lands Protection Taskforce established by the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to help safeguard state lands across the region.