Sempe Stool inaugurates land secretariat to curb disputes

The Sempe Stool in Accra recently established a Customary Land Secretariat aimed at improving land documentation, enhancing tenure security, and reducing ownership and boundary disputes within the traditional area. This significant step was taken on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The secretariat functions as a central repository for land records and provides reliable information on land interests and transactions to landowners, investors, and the general public.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Sempe Stool, attended by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, traditional rulers, queen mothers, priests, priestesses, officials from the Lands Commission, the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, and other stakeholders. Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasized the importance of collaboration among traditional areas, such as Abola, Otublohum, Akamaje, and Gbese, to adopt similar secretariats for easier land documentation and registration.

He underscored the need for proper land registration due to Ghana's land administration laws and regulations, urging traditional authorities and landowners to comply with the legal framework set under the Lands Act.

Dr Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, Administrator of Stool Lands, clarified that the secretariat is not intended to dispossess existing landowners or occupants but to meticulously document and preserve information on land rights and transactions for present and future generations. He highlighted that the facility would facilitate the documentation of land interests, recording of transactions, and provision of accurate information to relevant parties.

Additionally, the secretariat would bolster tenure security, support orderly land-use planning, and enable the resolution of disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Dr Akwensivie underscored the importance of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in managing the secretariat, emphasizing that the facility's success hinges on its effective and transparent management. He encouraged residents and landowners in various districts, including Lartebiokorshie, Mamprobi, Mpoase, Kwashieman, Odorkor, Ablekuma, Anyaa, and Sakaman, to utilize the secretariat by documenting their land interests and contributing to its operations.

He emphasized that effective customary land administration is a shared responsibility among traditional authorities, state institutions, landowners, and the public.