By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Executive Secretary at the Lands Commission, Professor Anthony Owusu Ansah, has sounded a warning about the challenges future generations might have to go through with regards to land in Ghana, stating that land is a limited resource that doesn’t increase or grow.
He emphasized that, the way land is being utilized will have severe consequences for future generations, who may face significant space constraints.
“Land as a resource is limited in nature, it doesn’t increase nor grow. Whatever we do on the land now affects future generations. A time will come when our great-great grandchildren will not even have space to live in the country”, he noted.
Speaking on Tv3’s Hot Issues today, March 8, Prof. Owusu-Ansah highlighted that, as other countries protect their lands with high rise buildings, Ghanaians are trying to build across the beach. According to him, the mentality that “I choose how to build on my land because I bought it” is a major challenge.
He advised prospective land buyers to consult with the Commission first before making a purchase, as buying land essentially means acquiring rights to a lease. He stressed that buyers must verify the ownership and ensure that the seller has the right to sell the land.
According to him, the Commission provides services such as land searches, dispute plans, and composite plans to courts to help resolve land disputes. These services can be accessed online or at the Commission’s offices.
He also highlighted the importance of proper land documentation, stating that the Commission keeps records of all land transactions and can provide professional opinions on land ownership.
He urged Ghanaians to change their mentality about land ownership, emphasizing that buying land does not give unlimited rights to build on it, especially in sensitive areas such as beaches. The Commission’s goal is to ensure that land is managed sustainably for the benefit of future generations.
He also revealed that, Lands Commission receives hundreds of land dispute cases daily, and further encouraged Ghanaians to utilize their services to avoid falling victim to land scams or disputes.
