President John Dramani Mahama has lifted the temporary ban on state and public land transactions, reopening access for the sale, lease, and processing of state lands under new measures designed to ensure transparency and accountability.
“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.
The ban, which took effect on January 10, 2025, was introduced to allow for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s land administration system.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Lands Commission on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, President Mahama said the pause had exposed major shortcomings that demanded urgent reforms.
The President made it clear that the lifting of the ban comes with a stronger framework to ensure discipline in land administration.
“The lifting of the ban does not signify a return to business as usual. It signals a new disciplined era of land management. We are embarking on a reset that prioritises transparency, fairness, and justice in land administration.”
Mahama stressed that the new measures would safeguard the national interest, prevent abuses, and restore public confidence in land governance.
The newly sworn-in Lands Commission Board is expected to spearhead the implementation of these reforms, ensuring that state land transactions reflect integrity and accountability.
