Minister cuts sod for Lands Commission Office

Accra, Feb. 09, GNA - A sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a three-storey block of offices of the Greater Accra Regional Lands Department of the Lands Commission has been held in Accra.

The 15-month project signifies the commencement of the first phase of the offices which was burnt down four years ago.

The ultra-modern one-stop office complex, which would come with a basement and 120 offices, would be funded from the internally generated funds, and partly from the consolidated funds.

In an address, Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the need for a good working environment for sustainable management and prudent administration of land could not be over-stated.

'There is no doubt in my mind that the project would offer the Commission an excellent environment for efficient land service delivery, particularly to simplify and quicken access to land, facilitate speedy registration of interest in land, promote investment, ensure security of tenure, promote transparency in land administration and enable Ghana to win the fight against poverty,' he said.

The Minister said the public image of the Commission, level of mutual suspicion and lack of trust between customary land authorities and the Commission was not good.

He urged the staff to expedite and promote the integration of the four divisions into a single corporate body of the Commission.

Nii Osah Mills assured the Commission of the Ministry's continued assistance to provide the needed support to transform the Commission into a modern and efficient land administration service provider.

Mr James Dadson, Regional Lands Officer, said the occasion was in line with the reforms currently taking place within the land sector.

'This step that we are embarking upon today is therefore timely and appropriate,' he said.

'It is also in tune with our strategic goals to achieve a positive public image for the Lands Commission and provide quality, transparent and timely land services,' he said.

Mr Dadson said the vision of the Commission was to become a centre of excellence for land service delivery.

Dr Wilfred Anim-Odame, Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, said through collaborative efforts between dedicated management and staff, prayers and driving force had been the synergy of partnership in the efforts to work better.

Alhaji Bakari Sadique Nyari, Chairman of the Lands Commission Board, commended management and staff for their services over the years.

GNA