{
  "id": 14425262,
  "title": "Customary ownership accounts for 80% of land; it complicates land administration – Lands Commission",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/customary-ownership-accounts-for-80-of-land-it-complicates-land",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T10:07:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/customary-ownership-accounts-for-80-of-land-it-complicates-land-administration-lands-commission/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lands Commission reveals that family disputes, multiple sales of the same land plots, and inadequate planning pose significant challenges to effective land administration in Ghana. Surveyor Raphael Hokey, Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Operations, emphasizes that about 80% of Ghana's land falls under customary ownership, with only 20% classified as public land. This high percentage of customary land ownership complicates efforts to manage the land and ensure orderly development. Public lands include state and vested lands, where customary owners retain beneficial interest while the legal interest remains with the state. Hokey highlights that managing land without full control over property creates difficulties for institutions responsible for administration. Disagreements within landowning families and disputes over traditional leadership often lead to litigation and uncertainty for prospective buyers. The sale of a single parcel to multiple purchasers creates ownership disputes and hinders land administration. Hokey also raises concerns about the lack of planning and infrastructure on some customary lands, as plots are frequently sold without access roads, essential services, or clearly marked boundaries. This raises questions about who should provide the necessary infrastructure for property development. To tackle unauthorised construction and other land-related issues, Hokey stresses the need for stronger cooperation among public institutions, noting that local assemblies can seek police assistance and pursue court orders when necessary.",
  "summary": "The Lands Commission says family disputes, multiple sales of the same plots and inadequate planning on customary lands remain major obstacles to effective land administration in Ghana.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Customary land accounts for 80% of Ghana’s land – Lands Commission official",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/customary-land-accounts-for-80-of-ghanas-land-lands-commission",
        "published": "2026-10-14T10:01:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}