Ghana successfully hosts 2024 International Federation of Surveyors week

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has disclosed that the policies and programs implemented by the Ghanaian government in the Lands administration space are aimed at building an efficient and sustainable land administration system capable of playing an instrumental role in the fight against climate change.

Delivering a speech at the closing ceremony of the 2024 International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week in Accra on Thursday, May 23, 2024, the Lands Minister stated that the government incorporated climate actions in the creation and implementation of strategies and measures that will culminate in an effective land administration system.

Touching on the theme for the conference which was “Your World, Our World: Resilient Environment and Sustainable Resource Management for All, Hon. Jinapor outlined some measures executed by the government to improve land administration in the country.

“Over the past few years, under the able and outstanding leadership of President Akufo-Addo, we have taken bold steps to promote an efficient and effective land administration that takes into consideration the competing needs for land by the various sectors of our economy”, he stated.

“This includes the enactment of a new Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which revises and consolidates all the various laws on land in our country, the holding of a Land Symposium in 2021 to galvanise support for the implementation of the new law, and the holding of a National Land Conference in 2022, the first of its kind in our country, to, among others, empower and build the capacities of land sector stakeholders, and promote sustainable land management and administration for socio-economic development,” he added.

The Minister also mentioned the Urban Redevelopment Scheme and the National Geospatial Policy as some of other policies which are making positive alterations to the use of land in the country and ensuring that Ghanaians benefit from the country’s vast lands.

He reiterated the commitment of the government to continuing on the path towards sustainable use of lands in the country and appealed to the participants to ensure that the summit achieved its purpose by implementing what they learnt during the four day period.

“ The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry, is, also, implementing an Urban Redevelopment Scheme, through which several prime lands in our urban areas are being redeveloped to ensure judicious use of land, and contribute to building sustainable cities and communities, in accordance with Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, Government has developed a National Geospatial Policy to provide the foundation to underpin a spatially enabled society for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.

“Madam President, incorporating climate action into our professional practices is sine qua non to achieving our collective goals. Since July last year, we have increasingly recorded a rise in global temperature every single month, with March 2023 being the hottest month ever recorded in history. Unfortunately, we have only one Earth”, he said.

"We must, therefore, do all that is possible to protect it. That is why I find the theme for this year's conference, “Your World, Our World: Resilient Environment and Sustainable Resource Management for All,” very inspiring. It underscores the urgent need to safeguard our world. Although a lot of damage has already been done, it is not too late to turn back the clock. As the United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Guterres, profoundly said, “the climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win,” he noted.

The four-day program brought together surveyors and industry players from across the world to deliberate on improving and promoting standards while ensuring the sustainable management of resources.

The outcomes of the conference will serve as a blueprint for future initiatives and Ghana remains committed to supporting the vision of the FIG and fostering a sustainable surveying profession.

As part of the Working Week, delegates voted for the next set of executives of the ensuing year, with Greece and China winning the positions of President and Vice President respectively.

Meanwhile, Australia has been voted as the next destination to host the 2025 annual FIG week.

EK