As part of efforts to ensure various stakeholders of the Lands Commission are well informed about the laws governing land administration and related matters in the country, the Lands Commission has taken the Accra Markets Limited staff through comprehensive sensitization training, which has provided them with valuable insights on the necessary steps to take before acquiring land and familiarizing them with the Land Act which has been described by experts to restore sanity in the land market.
The initiative aimed to enhance staff competence and safeguard the company’s land transactions while promoting adherence to legal procedures.
The sensitization was held at the office of Accra Markets Ltd. (Kaneshie Market) on July 13th, 2023 and brought together employees from various departments who were equipped with knowledge about the core mandate of the Commission and its business processes.
Surv. Lawyer Timothy Anyidoho (Acting RLO, Greater Accra Region) who led the sensitization shared his expertise and practical knowledge on navigating the landscape of land acquisition in Ghana with the staff, detailing the various bottlenecks in the system and how the staff could surmount these challenges if they get it right from the acquisition stage. This he said would also help the staff walk boldly to the Commission to access any service of their choice without relying on any middle person.
During the sensitization, participants received detailed guidance on the essential considerations to bear in mind before embarking on any land acquisition venture. They were educated on the crucial aspects of due diligence, such as verifying the land’s ownership, assessing its legal status, and conducting thorough background checks(search) to avoid any potential disputes or encumbrances.
The education emphasized the significance of engaging the services of qualified professionals, such as surveyors and lawyers, to ensure accurate land surveys and legal documentation.
Furthermore, the session shed light on the Land Act (Act 1036), Staff members were educated on the Act’s provisions, including land tenure systems, land registration processes, and the rights and responsibilities of landowners. Participants gained insights into the legal intricacies and procedures involved in acquiring land, enabling them to make informed decisions.
Some Sections of the Land Act touched include;
SECTION 47: RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF LAND BY SPOUSE. A spouse shall not, in respect of right or interest in land acquire for valuable consideration during marriage: a) Sell, exchange, transfer, mortgage or lease the land, right or interest in the land. b) Enter into a contract for the sale, exchange, transfer, mortgage, or lease of the land, right, or interest in the land. c) Give away right in the land inter vivos. d) Enter into any other transaction concerning the land, right, or interest in the land without the written consent of the spouse, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
SECTION 12: PROTECTION OF LAND AND INTEREST IN LAND:
Under this section, he admonished the staff to be mindful of the activities of land guards stating that if one engages in it, both the sponsored and the sponsor are both liable to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than fifteen years.
Mr. Robert Jerry Agbeveme, the Deputy Managing Director of Accra Markets Limited, expressed how elated he was about the sensitization initiative, stating, “We had a negative perception about the Lands Commission, but this sensitization has enlightened us, and we need more of this”.
He commended the Lands Commission for this outreach program which he believes would go a long way to help all of them and urged his staff to spread the information. He described the Commission as the “new Commission” because according to him, this move to come down to them is unprecedented.
Madam Anita Aihoon, Human Resource and Administrative Manager of Accra Markets Ltd. thanked the Commission for educating them on the procedures involved in conducting searches and the importance of obtaining appropriate certifications from relevant authorities.
As the sensitization came to an end, participants were allowed to ask questions and seek further clarification on the topics discussed. The interactive Q&A session allowed staff members to delve deeper into specific aspects of land acquisition, addressing any doubts or uncertainties they may have had.
END
COMMS UPDATE
