A five-member committee tasked to assess the Lands Commission’s Report on vested lands has recommended that all lands that are not utilised by state institutions should be returned to their original owners.
The committee suggested that state entities currently occupying and using these vested lands should pay a fee to the original owners for continued use.
It also recommended the establishment of a management committee consisting of members from the Lands Commission, landowners and users of vested lands to oversee the management of lands with intricate acquisition and usage histories.
The Member of Parliament for the Asante-Akim North and Chairman of the Committee, Mr Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, presented the report to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor at a ceremony in Accra.
The Lands Minister said the submission of the report signifies a major milestone, indicating progress towards resolving the complex issues related to vested lands in the country.
Mr Jinapor promised to review the report and make recommendations to the President and expressed confidence that the report would guide the government in handling the matter of vested lands.
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, was optimistic that the report would have an impact on governmental decisions concerning vested lands.
He underscored the significance of their findings for fair and just resolutions in this critical area and for future needs.
He expressed hope that the submission of the report marks a significant chapter in the ongoing efforts to manage and govern lands in Ghana, paving the way for informed decision-making and equitable outcomes in land-related matters.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
