PILOT PROJECT ON LAND ADMINISTRATION ESTABLISHED (Page 20)

Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

THE Ministry of Lands and Forestry has established a pilot project designed to strengthen land administration and security in the land tenure system in the Ashanti Region.
The project is dubbed: “Land Administration Policy (LAP)”, which is embodied in the National Land Policy (NLP) programme.
It is designed to develop the human resource base for both the customary and public land delivery system in a more effective and efficient way to enhance easy access to land and its management in the region in particular and the country in general.
The project, which is also intended to simplify the process for accessing land, is being implemented through a long-term land administration programme designed to reduce land litigation and its social and economic implications, stimulate economic development, reduce poverty and promote social stability.
Throwing more light on the project during an interview, the National Facilitator of the Customary Land Administration Unit, Mr Mark Kakraba-Ampeh, stated that under the project, Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) were being established in the various traditional areas in the Ashanti Region.
“This is to ensure that customary land in the region becomes accessible, effective, equitable and accountable, to create the enabling environment which will encourage further investment in land and sustainable resource management,” he added.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said the CLSs were also to ensure that the “diversity of different customary land tenure system in Ghana are recognised”.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said CLSs collated information on the right of ownership of land in the traditional areas in the region and made them public to ensure the right of ownership of customary land.
He added that the CLSs would also keep and maintain accurate and up-to-date land records, and keep records of all fees and charges associated with land grants.
He said the CLSs would in addition receive all correspondence on behalf of the land committee and serve as link between the land owning community and the public sector land agencies such as the assemblies, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Thematic Facilitator of the Unit, Mr George Nti, for his part, told the Daily Graphic that the project was a demand-driven approach, which would be adopted for the selection of traditional areas for assistance.
He said so far, about 11 traditional areas in the Ashanti Region — Juaben, Ejisu, Bekwai, Adansi, Obogu, Ofoase, Mampong, Manso Nkwanta, Agogo, Nkawie and Toase — had expressed interest to be part of the project.
Mr Nti said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between the government and customary authorities on the project.
He explained that under the MoU, the obligations of the parties involved in the project would be laid bare, but hinted that the Land Administration Project would provide computer and accessories at all secretariats to be established.