The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has reviewed a total of 8,160 lease applications executed or initiated across all 16 regions of Ghana, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has announced.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday, February 16, the Minister disclosed that the applications comprised 4,176 direct allocations, 2,799 regularisations, 19 allocations relating to state bungalows, 108 land swap or public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, 795 subsequent transactions, and 265 fresh allocations.
He explained that 88 of the 108 land swap or PPP arrangements were located in the Ashanti Region.
The review was conducted by a committee chaired by Alhaji Yusif Suleimana, Deputy Lands Minister, following a directive issued by President John Mahama on January 10, 2025.
The directive ordered the Lands Commission to halt all activities relating to the lease and processing of public land transactions.
According to the Minister, the President’s intervention was aimed at safeguarding public lands from abuse, restoring discipline in land administration, and ensuring that all land transactions provide value for the state.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah noted that the committee’s work formed part of the government’s broader “reset agenda” to rebuild public confidence in the management of public lands.
The committee undertook a comprehensive nationwide assessment of public land allocations and leases and identified lapses in some applications and allocations that did not fully comply with the internal processes of the Lands Commission.
“These lapses undermine transparency in the allocation of public lands,” the Minister stated.
He added that the committee has submitted its findings and recommendations to Cabinet, which has approved them alongside additional directives for immediate implementation.
The approved measures, he said, are designed to strengthen oversight, enhance compliance with established procedures, and ensure that public lands are managed with integrity in support of national development.
