The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, has officially broken ground for the construction of the Upper East Regional Lands Commission Office Complex. The ceremony, held in Bolgatanga, is geared towards addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges facing the Lands Commission in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Alhaji Sulemana noted that the new facility will not only enhance land administration services but also contribute to revenue mobilization and job creation in the region.
“Land is everything—economic, political, and social development all depend on land. We need a modern, functional facility to deliver services efficiently and resolve disputes. This building will help us do just that,” the Deputy Minister stated.
Alhaji Sulemana indicated that the Ministry is working to lay a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) in Parliament to strengthen the legal framework supporting the Lands Commission’s operations. He assured stakeholders that the government is committed to expediting reforms to improve land acquisition and documentation processes, which are critical to attracting both local and foreign investment.
He stressed the importance of proper land documentation in facilitating access to credit for small and medium-scale businesses, noting that many potential entrepreneurs lose opportunities due to lack of collateral.
“We must help businesspeople secure land documents so they can access loans and expand their businesses. That is how we create jobs and grow our economy,” he added.
Addressing the contractor at the event, the Deputy Minister issued a stern warning against shoddy work and delays.
“We’re counting from today. You have exactly one year to hand over this building. No excuses. If you deliver well, more opportunities will come your way. But if not, you’ll have no future engagements with this ministry,” he cautioned.
He also urged the contractor to recruit local artisans and laborers for the project to create jobs for residents and stimulate the local economy.
Alhaji Sulemana, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi expressed gratitude to traditional authorities and landowners for releasing land for the project and reassured them that the land would be used responsibly.
The Upper East Regional Lands Officer, Jonathan Kwabla Kene, described the construction of the Upper East Regional Lands Commission Office Complex as a “historic moment” and a long-awaited dream come true for the Commission and the people of the region.
Mr. Kene expressed deep gratitude to the Alegmia Abaa Family of Zorbisi for releasing the land, which he noted was critical to the realization of the project.
“This is a great day for the Lands Commission in the Upper East Region. For decades, we have operated without a dedicated office complex. Today marks the beginning of a significant transformation in how land services are delivered in the region,” he said.
Mr. Kene revealed that the regional office currently operates out of a shared government block with several other institutions, which he said affects its smooth operation.
“The lack of space has been a major impediment. Even the Chairman of the Lands Commission in the region has no dedicated office space. This has severely affected our operational efficiency and the capacity to increase our staff,” he lamented.
He shed light on several challenges confronting land administration in the region which include encroachment on state and public lands, complications surrounding vested and de-vested lands, discrepancies between provisions of the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) and traditional land tenure systems, compensation disputes, and the lack of subsidiary legislation to guide the implementation of the Land Act.
However, Mr. Kene noted that efforts are underway to tackle these challenges. He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to public education and stakeholder engagement, particularly with traditional leaders, landowners, and land sector agencies. He praised recent digital interventions, especially the introduction of the Enterprise Land Information System (ELIS), which he said has significantly reduced turnaround times in land service delivery.
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