Sunyani, Kwahu Obomeng get customary land secretariats to improve transparency and land records
Two Customary Land Secretariats have been inaugurated in Sunyani in the Bono Region and Kwahu Obomeng in the Eastern Region as part of efforts to promote effective, transparent and accountable land administration at the customary level. The initiative is being supported by the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) as government seeks to strengthen land documentation and collaboration…
Two new Customary Land Secretariats have opened in the Bono and Eastern Regions of Ghana, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in customary land administration. The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) is leading this initiative, which seeks to bolster land documentation and cooperation between traditional authorities and government bodies.
Speaking at the ceremonies, OASL Administrator Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie praised the traditional leaders of Sunyani and Kwahu Obomeng for creating the secretariats, emphasizing their commitment to effective land management. He highlighted that well-managed land can drive national development while poorly managed land can lead to conflicts.
Akwensivie stressed the importance of efficient land management, noting that around 80% of Ghana's land is under customary ownership, placing a significant burden on traditional stewards to handle the resource responsibly for both current and future generations. The secretariats will function as repositories for land records, document land rights, and handle transactions within their respective regions.
They will also provide accessible land information to the public, including potential investors, to facilitate better planning and reduce disputes.
With about 100 Customary Land Secretariats already operational across Ghana, Akwensivie emphasized the need for effective management to maintain good relationships among stakeholders. He called on staff and members of the Land Management Committees to maintain integrity, professionalism, and accountability in their roles, earning and preserving the trust of the people.
Residents of Sunyani and Kwahu Obomeng were urged to utilize the services provided by the new secretariats, as their proper functioning is a collective responsibility between traditional authorities and their constituents. The government remains committed to supporting these efforts, with the OASL and the Lands Commission offering technical assistance to ensure the secretariats fulfill their intended purpose under the Land Act, 2020.
The initiative hopes to improve land documentation at the customary level, enhance access to land information, and mitigate conflicts related to land transactions.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
