President John Mahama has praised the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, describing her as a “rare species” and a “highly capable leader” following her appointment as the only woman on the newly reconstituted 26-member Lands Commission Board.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, President Mahama highlighted the urgent need for stronger gender balance in public institutions. He stressed that Ghana must revisit its Affirmative Action Law to enforce at least 30 percent female representation in leadership roles.

His remarks came after Deputy Lands Minister Yusif Sulemana expressed concern over the glaring lack of women on the commission, aside from Prof. Klutse.

Addressing the issue, President Mahama said: “Our Chief Executive Officer of EPA, you’ll be a very rare species in this commission. I know you’re a very capable woman, and so you’ll represent the 30 percent of women on the commission.”

Prof. Klutse, an internationally respected climate scientist, is the immediate past Head of the Physics Department at the University of Ghana and a former Vice-Chair of the IPCC Working Group I. She also served as a Lead Author of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.

Holding a PhD in Climatology from the University of Cape Town, her expertise spans climate modelling, regional climate dynamics, and societal impacts. She previously worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Manager at the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute.

Beyond her scientific work, she is a strong advocate for women in STEM and youth mentorship, championing these causes through The Browne Foundation, which promotes climate action and community development.

Since assuming leadership of the EPA, Prof. Klutse has spearheaded transformative environmental initiatives, earning commendation from the President for her impact.

Meanwhile, President Mahama also used the occasion to announce sweeping reforms to land administration, ordering a comprehensive audit of all state lands allocated, leased, or sold between 2017 and 2024.

“The days of file manipulation, absenteeism, and deliberate delays to exact bribes must come to an end. We borrow land from our children. Let us protect it for future generations,” he cautioned.

He directed the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission to lead the audit, noting that the Sale of State Lands Committee had already commenced its work and would submit findings soon.

The President further lifted the temporary ban on state land transactions, stressing that all future allocations must be done through transparent processes, digital verification, and strict oversight.