The Technical Director of Lands at the Ministry of Lands And Natural Resources, Sulemana Mahama, has said the Ministry is set to present a new land bill before cabinet which when approved, will help address land disputes.
The land bill, which is a consolidated form of the national land policy that came into effect in 1999, will better define land management and acquisition in the country.
[contextly_sidebar id=”KyVgrsGjfTf2hVG0x1pRELcTgstkJ6qI”] Speaking to Citi News, Sulemana Mahama said stakeholders and the ministry have been working with the parliamentary select committee to better improve the policy and the bill is expected to be approved by September.
“Currently, we have been working with the parliamentary select committee on lands and forestry. In most of our discussions, they are involved so they already know some of the issues. If cabinet is able to look at it very quickly, hopefully by September or October, it may be possible for it to be passed. Our long-term view is that, by early next year, this bill should be turned into law.”
Earlier this week, major stakeholders met to engage at a consultative workshop to discuss series of policies introduced in the draft land bill.
Along with the existing land laws, the new land bill makes provision for gender empowerment by requiring conveyance of property among spouses. This means that land acquired by one’s spouse in the cause of marriage will be deemed to belong to both parties.
The bill also introduces penalties for both public officials and citizens to curb wrong doing in the land sector.
It further states that, the land registrar cannot register any land where the interest is more than 10 acres unless the Lands Commission in accordance with Article 36(8) and 267(3) of the constitution grants its consent.
But the Technical Director of lands is optimistic it will be approved as issues of land are a major concern in the country.
“Land issues affect the whole country, our economy, our social structure, our cultural practices and parliament is the first to know that land is a problem in this country. So if we are trying to rationalize it, they will be very willing to support.”
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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana