Calls for study and compilation of laws on land

Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA - The Lands Commission has stressed the need to study and review laws related to land and natural resources and compile them to enable the nation administer and develop its land sector efficiently and effectively.

The Commission was also of the view that when laws on land could be traced from a common source instead of fragmented sources, it would facilitate activities of Land Administrators, Legal Practitioners and other Professionals in land-related fields.


Mr Kwame Boafo, a legal practitioner and Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission, made these observations inaugurating a Committee set up by the Lands Commission to compile and study laws related to lands and natural resources in the country and make recommendations in Kumasi on Tuesday.


The seven-member Committee has Mr John Osei Sarpong, Chief Lands Officer of the Lands Commission, as Chairman, the rest are officials of the Lands Commission from regions in the country and a representative of the Attorney-General's Department.


The Committee has terms of reference but no time frame to submit its report.


In addition to compiling and studying laws of the land and natural resources, the committee has the mandate to provide commentary on the laws and ascertain the current state of such laws in terms of their application and usefulness to the country.

Mr Boafo, advised members of the committee to collaborate with the Lands Reform Commission in order not to come out with conflicting results.


Mr Owusu Achaw, Ashanti Regional Director of Town and Country Planning Department, advised members of the committee not to assume to be specialists but consult experts, academicians and traditional rulers in the performance of their work.


He said their report could stand the test of time when they begin from legislations made during the colonial era and not confine themselves to current laws.


Mr. Sarpong, Chairman of the Committee, pledged that they would work assiduously to ensure success of the studies and the task assigned to them.