The Lands Commission of Ghana is implementing major reforms to improve land administration, accelerate digital transformation and strengthen revenue collection as part of efforts to modernise the country’s land governance system.
The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah, announced the initiatives during a media engagement organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
He said the commission was focused on policy reforms, digital land registration services, improved surveying technology, infrastructure development and the decentralisation of services to make land administration more efficient and accessible.
According to him, the reforms are intended to support the government’s development agenda and address longstanding challenges associated with land acquisition, documentation and management in Ghana.
Ghana to Develop New National Land Policy
Prof. Owusu-Ansah disclosed that the government is developing a new National Land Policy to replace the existing policy introduced in 1999.
He explained that the revised policy would reflect Ghana’s current development priorities and address emerging challenges in land governance.
As part of the process, an inception workshop was held on October 6 and 7, 2026, bringing together traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations, academics, development partners and media representatives.
Further consultations with stakeholders are expected to take place before the review is completed in 2027.
The new policy is expected to provide an updated framework for land management, improve institutional coordination and strengthen accountability in Ghana’s land administration sector.
Land Act Regulations Await Parliamentary Approval
The Lands Commission has also reported progress towards implementing the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which provides the legal framework for land administration in Ghana.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah said work on the Legislative Instrument containing regulations to operationalise the Act had reached an advanced stage.
Following consultations and revisions, the draft regulations have been submitted to Parliament, with approval expected before the end of 2026.
The regulations are expected to support the effective implementation of the law and improve the administration of land-related transactions.
Lands Commission Expands Digital Land Services Nationwide
Digital transformation remains a major priority for the commission, particularly through the Enterprise Land Information System (ELIS).
As of September 2026, the system had been enhanced in the Greater Accra Region and extended to nine additional regions: Eastern, Western, Volta, Western North, Oti, Bono East, Savannah, North East and Ahafo.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah said the digital platform was already making it easier for members of the public to access official land search services online.
He explained that the introduction of online applications had reduced the average processing time for official land searches from approximately one month to seven working days.
The commission plans to launch ELIS at its Ashanti Regional Office before the end of November 2026, with a complete rollout across all regions targeted for the end of 2027.
The digital land administration system is expected to improve service delivery, reduce delays and make land records more accessible to property owners, investors, developers and prospective land buyers.
District Offices to Improve Access to Land Registration Services
The commission is also decentralising its operations by establishing district offices in selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
According to Prof. Owusu-Ansah, 36 facilities are being renovated and furnished to support the expansion of services closer to communities.
The initiative is expected to reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to regional offices to complete land-related transactions.
Improved access to district-level services could also help streamline land documentation, property searches and other administrative processes.
Ghana Strengthens Land Surveying and Geospatial Technology
The Lands Commission has established 51 Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) as of September 2026 in collaboration with the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LiSAG) and a private-sector partner.
The stations are designed to improve surveying accuracy and strengthen the quality of geospatial data used in land mapping and boundary identification.
Reliable surveying technology is essential for land registration, property development, infrastructure planning and the resolution of boundary disputes.
The expansion of the CORS network is expected to support more accurate land surveys and improve the technical capacity of Ghana’s land administration system.
Regional Lands Commission Office Projects Progressing
Prof. Owusu-Ansah also provided updates on infrastructure projects aimed at improving the commission’s operational capacity.
Construction of regional offices in the Savannah, Upper East and Western Regions is approximately 50% complete, while work on the Central Regional Office has resumed. The projects are expected to be completed by 2027.
The final phase of the Greater Accra Regional Office complex has also been completed, with furnishing works underway.
Meanwhile, procurement processes for a district office building in Tema have commenced following commitment authorisation from the Ministry of Finance.
The new and upgraded facilities are expected to provide better working conditions for staff and improve service delivery to the public.
Lands Commission Collects GH¢40.7 Million in Ground Rent
The commission recorded GH¢40.7 million in ground rent revenue as of August 2026, representing 90.4% of its annual collection target of GH¢45 million.
The amount already exceeds the GH¢32.02 million collected throughout 2025, highlighting an improvement in ground rent revenue mobilisation.
To strengthen collections further, the commission is piloting a digital ground rent payment platform in selected estates across Greater Accra.
The initiative is expected to make payments more convenient, improve revenue tracking and support more efficient management of ground rent obligations.
Warning to Landowners and Lessees
Prof. Owusu-Ansah cautioned lessees of state and vested lands to comply with their ground rent and lease renewal obligations.
He stressed that ground rent must be paid annually, even when a formal demand notice has not been issued.
The commission plans to fully implement legal procedures against defaulters in 2027.
Lessees have also been advised to update their records using the Know Your Customer (KYC) form available on the commission’s website and renew expired leases to avoid potential legal consequences.
The warning highlights the importance of maintaining valid land documentation and meeting financial obligations associated with state and vested lands.
Lands Commission Supports Major National Infrastructure Projects
The commission is facilitating land acquisition and compensation processes for several major infrastructure developments across Ghana.
The projects include:
- Ashaiman Roundabout and the Akosombo Road project.
- Motorway Roundabout–Dawhenya Road.
- Kumasi Outer Ring Road.
- Suame Interchange.
- GRIDCo’s Accra–Kumasi Corridor.
- Petroleum Hub project at Jomoro.
- Phase III of the Appiatse Resettlement Project.
Efficient land acquisition and compensation are important for infrastructure delivery, helping project developers secure the necessary land while addressing the interests of affected landowners and communities.
The commission’s involvement in these projects forms part of its broader responsibility to support national development through effective land management.
Digital Land Administration Reforms Expected to Improve Efficiency
The reforms outlined by the Lands Commission reflect a broader effort to improve land governance, strengthen revenue mobilisation and modernise public services in Ghana.
The expansion of online land searches, improved surveying technology, decentralised district offices and updated land policy could help address delays and improve access to reliable land information.
For property buyers, real estate developers, investors and businesses, more efficient land administration can support better planning and reduce some of the administrative difficulties associated with land transactions.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering on its mandate and supporting the government’s vision of a modern, efficient and responsive land administration system.
Source: newsthemegh.com