Chiefs urged to contribute meaningfully to Land Bill

Kumasi, July 31, GNA - The President of the National House of Chiefs (NHC), Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa Professor John S. Nabila, has appealed to chiefs to make significant input to the Land Bill, to enable it to stand the test of time.

"As custodians of the land, you should help to put to rest conflicts pertaining to land administration at the community, regional and national levels".

Naa Professor Nabila was addressing the opening session of a day's workshop on the draft Land Bill for members of the NHC in Kumasi on Friday.

It was organized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, under the Land Administration Project (LAP).

He said the chiefs were happy that the nation has decided to patiently and progressively come out with a bill to promote development - pertaining to the land, but to ensure as well, sustainable ingredients for "our very survival on the land for numerous purposes."

The National President praised the Ministry for holding zonal consultations throughout the country, in most of which, chiefs actively participated.

Mr Kwame Gyan, Legal Specialist of the Project, presenting a paper on the draft bill said, land ownership, rules on survey and mapping titles and deeds registration, conveyance, compulsory land acquisition by the state and compensation were the thematic areas of the draft bill.

He asked the House to reflect on land taxation, conversion of leases, land size and duration of land use by investors for projects to be included in the bill.

Mr Gyan expressed his appreciation to the House for its cooperation and said it was his hope that the chiefs would continue to show interest in the processes leading to the passage of the bill into law.