The government’s decision to cancel illegal land deals and reclaim public lands acquired without due process is a bold and long-overdue step toward restoring public confidence in Ghana’s land administration system.
For decades, the opaque allocation of state lands—often shrouded in political influence and bureaucratic manipulation—has undermined trust in public institutions and denied the nation value for money and equitable development.
The announcement on Tuesday by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during a visit by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to the ministry, that Cabinet has approved a full review of past land transactions sends a clear signal that public resources are not for private enrichment.
The resolve to cancel transactions that did not follow due process and to revoke unfinished allocations underscores a commitment to accountability that must now be matched with consistency and transparency.
The Ghanaian Times emphasises that land is not merely an economic asset; it is central to social stability, investment confidence and national identity. When citizens perceive that access to land is determined by connections rather than law, cynicism thrives and development stalls.
We therefore welcome the Minister’s pledge that no public official should ever contemplate appropriating state land for personal use. By this declaration, the government is addressing not only a legal issue but a moral one.
However, the success of these reforms will depend squarely on implementation. Reviews must be thorough, impartial and insulated from political interference. Where wrongdoing is established, sanctions must follow—not merely cancellations. Without accountability, reforms risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than lasting solutions.
Beyond land administration, the wider picture outlined by the Minister exposes deep environmental challenges. The destruction of 44 forest reserves and the loss of 16 per cent of forest cover within eight years is a sobering reminder of the consequences of weak enforcement and unchecked exploitation.
That some forest reserves have become red zones controlled by armed groups highlights the dangerous intersection between environmental degradation and national security.
The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative and the reclamation of nine forest reserves offer hope, but reforestation must be accompanied by sustained protection. Planting trees without securing forests merely delays the inevitable.
Ghana’s achievement as the first African country authorised to export legal timber to the European market demonstrates that improved governance is possible when standards are enforced.
Illegal mining, or galamsey, remains the most urgent test of the government’s resolve. Polluted rivers, destroyed cocoa farms and rising water turbidity levels—forcing water treatment plants to shut down—are immediate threats to public health and livelihoods.
We commend the revocation of over 255 small-scale mining licences and the ban on mining in forest reserves and water bodies, but enforcement must be relentless and fair.
Equally important is the reform of land administration services. The digitisation of records and decentralisation to district levels promise to reduce delays, curb corruption and make land transactions more accessible. A transparent and efficient Lands Commission is essential to preventing the very abuses the government now seeks to correct.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s reminder that environmental protection is a matter of survival—not sentiment—captures the urgency of the moment.
Ghana stands at a crossroads. Decisions taken today on land, forests and minerals will shape not only economic outcomes but the quality of life for future generations.
The task ahead is difficult, but the direction is right. What remains is unwavering political will, institutional integrity and sustained public engagement to ensure these reforms move beyond rhetoric and become the foundation of a fairer, greener and more accountable Ghana.
Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
