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Stop improper sale of stool lands, chiefs cautioned

The Administrator of Stool Lands, Mrs Christine Esi Bobobee, has cautioned landowners and chiefs against rampant disposal of lands without proper documentation.

She said proper documentation of lands would prevent litigations relating to lands and also facilitate sustainable development and efficient management of stool lands for the benefit of all.

Mrs Bobobee gave the caution at a sensitisation programme for traditional rulers, landowners and tenants at Battor in the Volta Region, as part of efforts to enhance revenue mobilisation for stool lands

She indicated that the programme was a precursor towards the establishment of a Customary Land Secretariat (CLS) at Battor.

The Administrator advised that in order for chiefs and landowners to protect their lands, they must register it.“Legally, you only become the owner of the land when it is properly registered in the name of the family or clan,” she added.

According to Mrs Bobobee, land has become such an essential commodity that it has the potential of alleviating poverty and creating employment for the youth who migrate to the cities for non-existent jobs.

She also called for unity among family members and landowners to lure investors to the area. “Investors are all over the country looking for lands for agricultural and other developmental purposes,” she added.

She explained that the CLS, if well managed, would ensure that proper records of land were kept and multiple sales of the same piece of land were prevented, as well as ensuring that revenue generated from the sale of land was used judiciously for the benefit of the local community.

The Regional Lands Officer (RLO) of the Lands Commission, Mr Gershon Quamie Tsra, told the chiefs and landowners to endeavour to resolve the numerous land litigations in the traditional area as the area, with its vast land, had the potential of uplifting the economic potential of the people of Battor and the surrounding communities.

On the payment of compensation to landowners, the RLO explained that where it became necessary for the government to acquire any parcel of land, it would do so through the due processes and compensation paid to the owners.

The sensitisation programme by the Stool Lands formed part of the second phase of the Land Administration Project (LAP II) funded by the World Bank, the Government of Ghana and other donor agencies.

The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands,  which is one of the implementing agencies for LAP-2, is tasked with the responsibility of co-ordinating with the Lands Commission and other relevant agencies in the preparation of policy framework for rational and productive development of stool lands.

Again, it is expected to assist LAP to strengthen customary land administration through the establishment of customary land secretariats.

The Office of the Stool Land also has the responsibility for collecting rents, dues and royalties and other payments in the form of income and capital and properly account for them to the beneficiaries.

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