Mahama Lifts Ban on the Sale of State Lands: “New Disciplined Era”
- President John Mahama announced an end to the ban on the sale of state and public land transactions
- The president has also ordered an audit of state lands leased or sold between 2017 and 2024
- Mahama was speaking during the inauguration of the reconstituted National Lands Commission on September 2
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President John Mahama has lifted the temporary ban on the sale of state and public land transactions.
The ban was introduced in January to allow for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s land administration system.
Source: Facebook
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Lands Commission on September 2, Mahama justified the ban that had been put in place.
“My government imposed a temporary ban on the sale of state lands to enable a thorough review of contracts. The exercise has revealed valuable insights into our current system and the reforms that are required."
Mahama said this announcement signalled the beginning of a more disciplined era of land management.
He also directed the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission to audit all state lands leased or allocated between 2017 and 2024.
He emphasised that all future land transactions will now pass through a transparent, digitally verified process under strict oversight to guarantee integrity and restore public trust.
"We are embarking on a reset that prioritises transparency, fairness, and justice in land administration."
MPs offered free state land
Labour, Jobs and Employment Minister Rashid Pelpuo claimed that the Lands Commission offered him free state land, an offer ostensibly extended to all the other members of the Lands and Forestry Committee.
Pelpuo revealed this during his vetting on January 30 in response to a question on whether he has acquired state land.
He told the vetting committee that this offer came when he was the ranking member of the Lands and Forestry Committee.
He described it as a salutation and thank you from the Commission. However, he did not disclose the location or the size of the land.
Gabby's wife accused of selling state land
In September 2025, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, accused Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko's wife of selling state lands.
Ablakwa claimed that Nana Adjoa Hackman had illegally acquired property from the state while she was a board member of GNPC.
He submitted that the quoted property belonged to the Judicial Service of Ghana and now hosts the Asaase Broadcasting Corporation.
Reacting to the allegations, Asaase Broadcasting Company said the claims were misleading and false, and Lilly Homes Limited legally acquired its headquarters through legitimate means.
Judicial Service sues over land encroachment
YEN.com.gh reported that the Judicial Service of Ghana filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, the Lands Commission, and an oil company over an encroachment on its land.
The Judicial Service, in its writ, stated that the parcel of land opposite the American Embassy in Cantonments and six bungalows situated on it had been encroached upon.
The solicitor for the Judicial Service, Mandy Dzifa Kwawukume, stated in the writ that the space being encroached upon had served as home to several justices, including Justice Yaw Appau, Justice CJ Honyenugah, and Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
