Lands Commission seeks to make documentation easier

The Lands Commission on Wednesday launched a Client Service Access Unit (CSAU) in Accra, to improve land service delivery and management in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Anim Odame, the Executive Secretary, Lands Commission, said the CSAU which formed part of the Land Administration Project, would help consolidate the merger of the four land sector agencies.

He explained that the CSAU was established to help the Commission remain customer oriented, competitive, enhance its image and re-position itself as the most desired public organisation for the delivery of quality land services.

“Clients of the Commission who desire to acquire a parcel or cadastral plans, those who want to stamp their documents and pay stamp duty, or apply for an official search report to reveal historical transactions in respect of a parcel of land; or apply for land title certificate in the Greater Accra Region will now transact business only from the Client Service Access Unit,” he said.

Dr Odame said a system had also been put in place for clients to receive text messages on the progress of their lands and related applications.

He said CSAU would help reduce the turnaround time in the delivery of land services, reduce cost of transacting business, minimise the frequency of staff and client contact and improve transparency.

He advised the staff of the Commission to be committed to upholding the virtues of hard work, diligence, honesty, integrity and excellence in service delivery, saying “It is paramount to stimulate our efforts to redeem our public image”.

Dr Benjamin Armah Quaye, National Project Coordinator of the Second Ghana Land Administration Project, called for the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system by the Commission to identify and quickly deal with challenges that may come up.

Mr Nii Osah Mills, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, lauded the Commission for the new unit that sought to deepen the integration of the land administration system by bringing staff and clients under one roof.

He urged the Commission to submit a comprehensive Action Plan on how it intended to sustain the CSAU and to extend its operations throughout the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the Ministry to the transformation of the land administration system in the country, adding that government was committed to the ideals of the Land Administration Project and would continue to support its implementation.

Mr Henry Godfrey Rupiny Kerali, Country Director of World Bank, advised the Commission to ensure the full automation of the new units, as well as ensuring the establishment of a legal regime to deal with land issues in the country.

He gave the assurance that the World Bank would continue to support Land Administration Project to achieve the goals under the project.

He advised other state agencies to emulate the leading steps by the Lands Commission for the development of the country.