President John Mahama has officially lifted the temporary ban on state land transactions, signaling what he described as the dawn of a new and disciplined era in land administration.
The restriction, imposed on January 10, 2025, was intended to provide space for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s land administration system. Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted National Lands Commission on Tuesday, September 2, President Mahama noted that the pause had “yielded valuable insights into the weaknesses of our current system and the urgent reforms required.”
He explained that the lifting of the ban comes with strict new measures designed to ensure accountability and fairness. “Today, with the inauguration of the new commission and the adoption of robust accountability measures, I am pleased to announce that the ban on land transactions has been lifted,” the President declared.
Moving forward, all allocations, leases, or sales of state lands will be governed by transparent procedures, integrated digital verification systems, and enhanced oversight. President Mahama cautioned that the decision should not be seen as a return to “business as usual” but rather the beginning of reforms to restore integrity in land management.
The government’s reset of land administration will be anchored on four key pillars:
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Restoring public confidence through transparency, fairness, and justice.
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Reversing illegal transactions by reclaiming encroached lands and safeguarding state property.
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Digitising and decentralising services to improve access and efficiency.
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Harmonising statutory and customary systems to promote equity and coherence.
The President emphasised that these reforms are aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring that state lands are managed responsibly for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
