Chiefs, Clans, and family heads are now required to set up Customary Land Secretariats before they can lease or sell a piece of land, This is according to Section 12 of the new Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).
A Principal Administration Land Officer at Ghana's Lands Commission, Timothy Anyidoho explained that the reform is to prevent the same piece of land being sold to different persons.
"It says that every ‘customary land holder; family, stool, clan will have to establish what is called a Customary Land Secretariat. In that, you will have to record lands that you give out to people’,” Mr Anyidoho told host Winston on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Thursday.
Mr Anyidoho said the Customary Land Secretariat will serve as a source of record for particularly, successors, to know which lands have been sold in order not to resell them.
“In the past, there were excuses for selling a land multiple times. You will hear the chief say ‘I didn’t know my predecessor sold it that is why I sold it.’ Those excuses are being resolved by the Customary Land Secretariat prescribed in new Land Act.“
Mr Anyidoho further added that the law will hold customary land owners accountable for the sale of lands they are entrusted with.
He said defaulters of the new law could be jailed between 5 to 15 years.
Due to the numerous challenges facing the lands adjudication and administration sector in the country, a new Act was passed in 2020 to address these difficulties.
Latest Stories
-
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams face Zamalek, RS Berkane take on holders, USM Algiers
49 mins -
PURC could have found a better approach to settle issues with ECG – Dr Manteaw
59 mins -
CAFCC: John Antwi sure of positive result against Zamalek
1 hour -
I’ll choose Osofo Kyiri Abosom as my running mate over Akua Donkor – Prophet Kumchacha
1 hour -
LPG prices surge in Ghana, raising concerns over tax impact
1 hour -
I commend PURC for taking courageous step to fine ECG board members – Kwame Pianim
2 hours -
Financing assurance secured from bilateral creditors to aid 2nd review funding for Ghana – IMF Africa head
3 hours -
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial dies
3 hours -
Fuel purchase issues have nothing to do with personal interest – Egypa Mercer
3 hours -
ISRQ2024: Theorose School wins Championship with 0.5 points, heads to Canada
3 hours -
Use your voice, talents, skills to advocate for positive change – UniMAC VC tells graduates
3 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses ‘dumsor’, Ex-MASLOC CEO jail and Election 2024
3 hours -
Otumfuo STEM Festival launched to find problem-solvers, promote science education
4 hours -
Irene Logan ties the knot in colourful ceremony
4 hours -
Alliance with other parties, not a merger – Alan Kyerematen
4 hours