The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has tasked the newly reconstituted 23-member Western Regional Lands Commission Board with streamlining land registration processes and decentralizing services to improve accessibility.
Speaking at the board’s inauguration in Sekondi, the minister emphasized the need to reduce the turnaround time for land registration to 30 working days, ensuring that applicants no longer have to travel to regional offices to complete the process.
“Reduce land registration turnaround time to 30 working days. Lower the cost of land services by making them accessible at the district level. Prevent unlawful land conversions and combat encroachment on public lands”.
Buah also warned against illegal mining activities, citing galamsey operations as a growing threat to land resources and environmental sustainability.
He urged the board to address land encroachment, unauthorized land sales, and speculative investments that hinder progress in the region.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson echoed these concerns, urging board members to collaborate effectively in tackling land disputes and maximizing the region’s land potential for investment and development.
Western Regional Lands Commission Director, Dr. Pius Asumadu, welcomed the board’s inauguration, noting that several pending land documents have awaited validation for four months.
He appealed to the members to commit to their responsibilities and uphold professionalism.
The 23-member board, chaired by Prof. Frederick Boakye-Yiadom of Takoradi Technical University, includes experts from diverse fields, including land administration, academia, and traditional leadership.
