Work begins on new G. Accra Lands Commission office
Construction works have begun on a three-storey complex for the Greater Accra Regional office of the Lands Commission to replace the old office complex which was destroyed by fire in March, 2012.
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The disability-friendly complex, which is being funded with internally generated funds of the commission and support from the government, is estimated at GH¢15.3 million and will have 120 offices on completion.
It is being undertaken by Elegant Homes and General Construction Limited, a Ghanaian-owned company and is expected to be completed in May, 2017.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony in Accra on Monday, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, said the complex was to provide a suitable working environment for staff of the commission after its offices were destroyed by fire.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the project, when completed, will offer the commission an excellent environment for efficient land service delivery, particularly to facilitate speedy registration of interest in land and promote transparency in land administration,” he said.
Good public image
Nii Osah advised the management of the commission to not only invest in its infrastructure but also develop a strategy to redeem its image.
“The public image of the Lands Commission is not very good. There is a high level of mutual suspicion and lack of trust between customary land authorities and the commission, especially concerning the management of public and vested lands. You must, therefore, strategise to restore confidence in this regard,” he advised.
Effective planning
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Wilfred K. Anim-Odame, said a lot of effort had been put into the reconstruction of the old single-storey colonial building into a modern three-storey building with a basement.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Elegant Homes and General Constructions, Mr Samuel Quarshie, for his part, promised to complete the project on schedule and appealed to the commission to release funds on time to enable them also to deliver on time.