Mr. John Koah the Spokesperson for Western North Regional Coordinating Council on behalf of the Regional Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng has on Friday, 4th March 2022, commissioned the Western North Regional Lands Commission Office at Sefwi Wiawso.
This falls in line with Article 258 and 260(1) of the 1992 constitution which mandates the creation of the Lands Commission and its regional offices across the country.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr. John Koah stressed on the significance of the Lands Commission in serving the government and the general public particularly in managing public lands and any other lands vested in the President as prescribed by the constitution.
He stated that the creation of the Lands Commission office in the region will also help advise the government, local authorities and traditional authorities on the policy framework for the development of the region and the entire country.
He said the significant role of Lands Commission can not be underestimate since the entity also help ensure that the development of individual parcels of lands are coordinated with the relevant development plan for the areas concerned.
Mr. John Koah noted that the land administration services in the past could only be accessed from the sekondi office of the lands Commission.
He said it was an era where applicants had to travel for long hours, but with the commissioning of the new regional office, the trend will become a thing of the past and again reduce the unofficial cost associated with land administration services.
“Mr. Chairman, what is unique about the establishment of these offices in the new regions is that, the offices shall operate in a fully digital environment. This will help achieve speed and reduce the usual delays associated with processing of documents in manual environment.” He emphasized.
He also stressed that human interaction will reduce and hopefully issues of rent seeking attitude of staff and unqualified land agents will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiaso traditional area expressed delight for the honour done him and for the opportunity given him to steer the affairs of the inaugural ceremony.
In his submission, he described the importance of land as a valuable asset of every community and nation.
He further explained that the importance of land is evident by the numerous conflicts that arise due to need of it.
” Individual, communities and government Agencies have always been at logger heads which have led to litigations, fighting and introduction of land guards with serious consequences” He added.
He also disclosed that issues with regards to land registration previously had to be forwarded to sekondi which took about 3 days for a simple exercise to be performed.
He expressed his sincerest gratitude to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for responding to their call.
The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Mr. James Dadson in his speech indicated that the newly commissioned office is expected to be the first-ever Regional Lands Commission inaugurated among the six new regions hence, the to ensure that proper land administration reforms are put in place to boost investor confidence in the area.
“The vast natural resources of the Region have made the region an attractive investment destination and for prospective investors particularly those in mining, cocoa and timber sectors” he said.
Mr. Dadson further expressed his appreciation to the Western North Regional Lands Commission officers for holding the fort till the formal inauguration of the new office.
