President Mahama orders immediate suspension of state land transactions

President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive to the Lands Commission, halting all sales, leases, and processing of transactions involving state and public lands.

In a formal communication dated January 10, 2025, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, the President stressed the need to protect public lands for the benefit of current and future generations.  

The letter, signed by Callistus Mahama, Ph.D., Secretary to the President, stated: “This directive has been issued to protect and preserve State and Public Lands for the collective benefit of the citizenry and future generations.” 

The directive calls for an immediate suspension of ongoing and pending transactions, pending a comprehensive review of the policies governing the management of public lands. Additionally, the Lands Commission has been instructed to submit a detailed report of all recent and ongoing transactions involving state lands to the Office of the President within 14 days.  

“Your immediate attention to this matter is required,” the letter concluded, signaling the urgency of the directive.  

This move is expected to pave the way for a re-evaluation of land management systems to ensure accountability and equity in the use of public lands.