The Lands Commission (LC) has on Monday, 21st August, 2023 engaged news editors from key media houses to among others set the record straight on a recent report from the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) in 2021 which placed the Lands Commission as the 4th public sector agency in Ghana where corruption was most prevalent and 1st in terms of average bribe size.

Speaking at the forum, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Forestry, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio established that the meeting was to make the citizenry know the position of the Commission on the report and further discuss on some innovative strategies being undertaken by the ministry to ensure a robust land service delivery system which is focused and result oriented.

He acknowledged that the Lands Commission by their nature of work and current infrastructure, has made it possible for middlemen to operate and take advantage of unsuspecting clients.

He however stated, that a number of interventions are being pursued by the Ministry to scale up the commencement of Land Administration Reform project before the end of the year.

Hon. Owusu-Bio pointed out that some staff of the Commission who were dragged before court for stamp duty fraud are currently being investigated for possible prosecution if found culpable. He said, this punitive action will serve as a deterrent to other officers.

He assured the participants of the Lands Commission's readiness to serve its clients with efficient services, and for that reason an improved service delivery.

In a comprehensive presentation, the Executive Secretary, Mr. James Dadson addressing the UN report stated some innovative interventions to mitigate the issue. These includes;

A) Digitisation of Lands Administration Services
Modernised records management system
C) Delivery & Compliance Dashboard
D) Online payment of fees and receipts
E) infrastructural development amongst others.

Mr. Dadson touted some challenges affecting the Commission's work outputs as multiple sale of parcels of lands, inadequate equipment & tools, non use of professionals by the public among others.

He noted that under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource, the Lands Commission has commenced processes to engage experts in the private sector to transform operations of the Lands Commission as mitigating strategies, wayforward and the expected outcome.

Responding to a question from one of the editors on the Commission's absence in court on land litigation issues, Mr. Dadson indicated their engagement and collaboration with the judiciary to have better representation as far as land related cases are concerned.

He resolved that actions taken by the Lands Commission have genuine repelling effect on Ghana's economy.

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah