Government rolls out new Lands Commission offices in 90 districts, targets 30-day processing
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says it has identified 90 districts across the country where it was going to establish new district offices for the Lands Commission as part of efforts to decentralise land administration and reduce delays in service delivery.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said this at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday [July 23, 2025], dubbed the Government Accountability Series.
“It makes no sense for a farmer in Ellembelle to travel to Takoradi just to process land documents,” Mr Buah said. “We are bringing the Lands Commission to the people.”
The move forms part of President John Mahama’s broader “reset agenda,” aimed at reducing bureaucracy, limiting rent-seeking behaviour, and making government services more accessible. According to Mr Buah, the government intends to establish a Lands Commission office in every district by the end of 2025.
The new offices are expected to ease pressure on regional centres and cut down the long processing times that have plagued land documentation for years.
To improve turnaround time, Mr Buah said the Lands Commission has been directed to complete all land-related applications within 30 days.
“We are fully aware of the bureaucracy and delays in land administration. That is why we have set a strict turnaround target of 30 days, and I believe Professor Osei and his team are working hard to meet it,” he said.
As part of broader reforms, the Lands Commission is undergoing a digital upgrade through the Enterprise Land Information System. This will enable easier access to land records, reduce human interference, and support more transparent transactions.
The Minister added that the Lands Commission is working with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority and the Ministry of Local Government to incorporate district-level spatial plans into the national land records system. The aim, he said, is to reduce land-related disputes and improve urban and rural planning.
A committee has also been set up to review all public land allocations and ensure that they align with national development goals. The review report is expected in August 2025.
