The Lands Commission has commenced a rigorous ground rent recovery and compliance campaign in some of Accra’s most affluent areas, aiming to improve state revenue and enforce discipline in public land management.

The operation, currently active in Airport Residential Area, East Legon, the Tema Motorway Industrial enclave and the North Industrial Area, involves officials personally serving demand notices to lessees and property owners who have fallen behind on rent obligations.

The Greater Accra Regional Lands Officer, Dr Pius Asumadu, is leading the exercise under the supervision of Mr. Owusu Peprah, Regional Head of the Public and Vested Lands Management Division.

This initiative forms part of a broader nationwide effort to ensure that all individuals and organisations occupying state land comply with the terms of their leases.

Early assessments have revealed widespread breaches in Accra, including unauthorised changes of land use, illegal subletting, conversion of residential properties into commercial units without approval, redevelopment into apartments, and long-term rent defaults.

Dr Asumadu described the findings as concerning, warning that such activities undermine the integrity of Ghana’s land management system.

He noted that some leaseholders have subdivided and resold state lands contrary to agreed conditions.

In response, the commission is undertaking a full review of affected leases and is expected to revise terms to reflect current use and adjust ground rents upwards.

Defaulters risk significant penalties, including publication of their names in national newspapers and possible repossession of the land under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).

The commission has urged all leaseholders, including those yet to receive demand notices, to visit the nearest Lands Commission office to confirm their payment status and clear any arrears immediately.

Authorities emphasise that the enforcement drive supports ongoing reforms to safeguard public lands, enhance transparency, and strengthen institutional accountability within the land administration sector.

Similar exercises will soon be rolled out in other regions, targeting high-value government land in cities such as Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale.