Deputy Lands Minister Breaks Ground for Savannah Regional Lands Commission Office Complex
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, MP, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey office complex for the Savannah Regional Lands Commission.
The project, which is expected to be completed within 12 months, will provide a permanent and well-equipped office space to enhance the Commission’s operations in the region. Hon. Sulemana, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, described the current working conditions in the Commission’s temporary office as inadequate and unbefitting of the institution’s status.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister said the construction of the magnificent office is to enable the Lands Commission perform its duties effectively According to him, the Lands Commission was established by the 1992 Constitution, making it a vital institution.
“It is important to the extent that if the Lands Commission does its work well, many land disputes will be resolved. You go to many communities, and what you see is conflict among friends and neighbors due to land litigation. It is the responsibility of the Lands Commission to demarcate and register lands appropriately to reduce conflicts and unnecessary fighting,” he added.
He further noted that many entrepreneurs are unable to provide landed property as collateral when required by banks to secure loans, denying them access to credit due to a lack of proper land documentation.
He also emphasized that foreign investors require land documents when entering the country to do business, highlighting the need for the Lands Commission to have a suitable edifice to discharge its duties effectively.
The Deputy Minister revealed that the Lands Commission has informed the Ministry that $165 million is needed to digitize the land administration system, easing difficulties in land registrations. The Ministry will partner with the private sector to secure the necessary funds.
He cautioned the contractor against shoddy work, stating that he would visit the site frequently and would not hesitate to terminate the contract if the work is unsatisfactory. Conversely, he pledged to recommend the contractor to the Ministry for more projects if they perform well.
The Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of operations at the Lands Commission, Surv. Adu Nsafuah, said the Commission’s management, through its five-year strategic plan, decided to establish its own office complexes across all regions. Out of the 16 administrative regions, only four currently have their own offices, while the remaining 12 operate in rented facilities, which poses significant financial challenges.
He noted that this project marks the first office complex for one of the six newly created regions and one of the remaining 12 regions yet to have their own offices. He stressed that since employees spend more time at work than at home, a comfortable working environment is essential for optimal performance.
Mr. Nsafuah assured the Deputy Minister of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the project is completed on time within the 12-month contractual period.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has yet to announce the commencement of office construction for the remaining regions. The contract for this project has been awarded to CK Engineering Ltd.
The event was attended by the Savannah Regional Minister, the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, traditional leaders, stakeholders, and staff of the Savannah Regional Lands Commission.
