Ghana’s land litigation crisis is reaching alarming levels, with nearly 70% of legal cases in the country linked to land disputes.
At the fifth edition of the Law for Society series, legal experts called for urgent action to enforce the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) to curb fraudulent transactions and land-related conflicts.
The annual legal education forum, organized by the Robert Smith Law Group in Accra, focused on the theme: “Land Acquisition in Ghana: The Law, Policy, and Practice.” Discussions centered on loopholes in land acquisition processes and the persistent challenges of illegal sales, double ownership claims, and land guard activities.
Speaking to JoyNews, Yemano Bright Atoko, Head of Chambers at ABA Consult, stressed the need for stricter implementation of the Land Act to protect property buyers and prevent land fraud.
“The new Land Act has outlawed land guard activities, but the real issue is enforcement. Laws alone won’t solve the problem if the government, security agencies, and the Lands Commission do not actively implement them,” he said.
Mr Atokoh also urged prospective buyers to conduct thorough due diligence before acquiring land, warning that relying solely on site plans could lead to costly legal battles.
“If all you rely on is a site plan, you could find yourself in court. You need to personally inspect the land and engage a professional surveyor to verify ownership,” he advised.
Lead Consultant at the Robert Smith Law Group, Bobbey Banson cautioned the public against dealing with unregistered real estate agents, emphasizing that proper certification is crucial in land transactions.
Before working with a real estate agent, ask them: “Are you certified?” This is critical because if they breach the law, you can report them to the Real Estate Agency Council,” he explained.
The forum attracted notable figures, including Justice Alexander Osei Tutu of the Court of Appeal and Nana Tabono Bonso III, Chief of Asante Akyem Achiase. Their presence reinforced the urgency of tackling Ghana’s land disputes through legal reforms and increased public awareness.
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