The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Sulemana Yusif, has inaugurated the North East Regional Lands Commission Board as he reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the land sector as part of its broader goal of enhancing the lives of the people in the region.
The inaugural ceremony, held at the Regional Coordinating Council in the North East Region on Tuesday, 13th May, 2025, saw the swearing-in of 12 officers into the Lands Commission.
At the ceremony, Deputy Minister Sulemana Yusif expressed his appreciation to the Chiefs and people of the North East Region for their commitment to partnering with the government to bring land administration closer to the people.
He explained that the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767), mandates the Commission to advise government, district assemblies, chiefs, and traditional authorities on policy frameworks for the development of specific areas, and to ensure that land development aligns with the relevant development plans for those areas.
Mr. Yusif emphasized that the decentralization of land administration, which the inauguration represents, is a key pillar of the government’s strategy.
“By establishing functional regional lands commissions across the country, we bring land services closer to the people, reduce costs and travel time, and empower regional and local stakeholders to take ownership of land governance processes,” he stated.
The Commission’s Board is composed of representatives from various institutions and stakeholder groups, including:
- Lawyer Issah Kaponde – Chairman
- Yaw Danso Boateng – Secretary, Lands Commission
- Rashid Wemah – Land Use and Spatial Planning
- Surv. Alex Sarfo – Ghana Institute of Surveyors
- Chief Abdulai Sibri – Farmers / Fishermen Association
- Mumuni Yahaya – Assembly Representative
- Babont Yennu – Assembly Representative
- Bukari Ibrahim – Assembly Representative
- Saibu Akuwah Nanyuni – Assembly Representative
- Yidana Baba – Assembly Representative
- Iddrisu Moses Kofi-KA – Assembly Representative
- Lawyer Sampson Bikilati Lambon – Ghana Bar Association
On his part, the Regional Minister of the North East Region, Ibrahim Tia, expressed confidence that the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the newly inaugurated board members would enrich the Commission’s work and help address numerous land-related challenges. These include boundary disputes, encroachment on government lands, compensation issues, land tenure insecurity, and delays in land transactions.
He stated that the inauguration marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen the institutional framework governing land administration and management.
“The composition of this constituted board is a vital step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of our lands for sustainable development,” he added.
