The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has nodded to a national discourse on the administration of lands in Ghana.
The conversation will hover around the management and regulation of land use, ownership, and development, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor who proposed it to the King said.
The two-day programme in partnership with the Daily Graphic is dubbed the “National Land Stakeholder Symposium” and also received the green light to be held at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace.
A date for the event is yet to be proposed to the Asantehene as he is expected to give the opening speech.
This forum, the Minister, said will bring together brains in the field as well as all stakeholders to jaw-jaw and find solutions to pressing issues concerning land administration in the country.
“The Ministry has monitored concerns about illegal mining popularly known as galamsey; however, more concerning are issues about land administration. We at the Ministry believe galamsey is a subset of land administrations and therefore with the latter curtailed, the former will be easily reined in. That is why we are proposing a national dialogue on it.”
Selecting Asanteman to host the programme which will have some international figures featuring was strategically done as Hon Jinapor highlighted how the Kingdom has distinguished itself as a trailblazer in land administration- something he sees the need to learn and replicate in all parts of the country.
“We won’t get the desired result when this event is held outside Asanteman. Over here, there are no cases of landguards. We witness a neat and perfect land administration system in this realm.”
A report and communique of the ideas solicited during the event will be compiled and presented to Otumfuo, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
In his speech, Otumfuo highlighted the significance of land in all projects, stating, “Almost everything requires land. Anyone who comes in to invest requires lands, we build our homes on it and it holds treasures like gold, bauxite and others.”
He also acknowledged the fact that land administration systems are specific to regions in the country, stating that Asanteman’s system of land administration has over the years proven to be effective.
“In some places, the lands are for stools and in others places, they belong to families. In Asanteman, we operate them as stool lands and so no one can lay claim to any land from here to the Ahafo Region. Land border disputes are also easily resolved due to how areas are partitioned.”
“It isn’t so in Accra where lands belong to families and individuals. In such cases, we see multiple sales of land by family members. The worst is yet to be witnessed if land administration is not given the necessary attention. The views of experts must be solicited to solve all concerns over land administration,” he added.
Otumfuo also called for the restoration of all stool lands that were acquired by the government for projects some time ago but have remained dormant, in accordance with the law.
His Majesty further announced his blessings for the national dialogue to take place.
The Minister was at the Manhyia Palace on June 19, 2024, with John Allotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Martin Ayisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and other executives.
The visit among other things had the King being appreciated for his commitment and support to the annual Green Ghana Day initiative of the government.
Source: Manhyia Palace
