Processes advanced for de-vesting of vested lands as Review Committee submits report
The report, presented to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has recommended the establishment of a committee made up of representatives from the Lands Commission, landowners, and land users.
A 5-member committee tasked with reviewing the return of vested lands has proposed the return of the majority of these lands to their pre-acquisition owners.
In addition, certain lands deemed to have special state interests were identified, with the committee suggesting the making of special arrangements in their management, including the payment of a token by the state for their continued use.
The report, presented to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, also recommended the establishment of a committee comprising representatives from the Lands Commission, landowners, and land users to jointly manage lands with complex acquisition histories.
Receiving the report at a brief ceremony on Monday, the minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, pledged the government's commitment to implementing the recommendations promptly.
Background
In line with Section 270 of Act 1036, the Lands Commission set up in June 2021 a twelve-member committee chaired by Ms. Mabel H. Yemidi to make recommendations for the de-vesting of vested lands.
Following the completion of this task, the minister inaugurated a review committee on February 23, 2022, chaired by Andy Appiah Kubi, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North.
The committee, consisting of various stakeholders, including legal experts, traditional leaders, and government officials, reviewed the work done by the Lands Commission's committee.
The members were: the Managing Partner of Law Plus (Attorneys-at-Law), Dennis Adjei Dwomoh; the Paramount Chief of Kumbungu Traditional Area in the Northern Region, Naa Alhaji Iddrisu Abu; a former Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, and the Technical Director of Lands at the Lands Ministry, Maxwell Adu-Nsafoa.
The minister further emphasized that the decision to de-vest such lands aligned with the provisions of Section 270 of the New Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) and expressed confidence in the committee's thoroughness in preparing the comprehensive report.
Mr Jinapor thus assured that the government would address the long-standing issue of vested lands conclusively.
In an interview with the media, Mr. Kubi, the committee chair, explained that their review involved engaging pre-acquisition owners and chiefs whose lands had been vested in the state.
He highlighted the committee's recommendation for certain lands to remain vested to accommodate complex acquisition situations, proposing the formation of management committees involving relevant stakeholders to oversee these lands.
Lawyer Appiah Kubi emphasized in effect that the committee's recommendations aim to provide a balanced approach to resolving the issue of vested lands, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders involved.
