President John Dramani Mahama has lifted a nationwide freeze on the sale and lease of public lands, ending an eight-month moratorium that was imposed to facilitate a sweeping review of the country’s land administration system.
The ban, enacted on January 10, 2025, halted all state land transactions amid growing concerns over opaque deals and irregularities in public asset management.
Speaking Tuesday at the inauguration of the newly appointed Board of the Lands Commission, President Mahama said the suspension had revealed critical flaws in how government lands are allocated and managed.
“My government imposed a temporary ban on the sale of state lands to enable a thorough review of contracts,” Mahama said. “The exercise has revealed valuable insights into our current system and the reforms that are required.”
The president emphasized that the resumption of land transactions would be governed by a set of new protocols aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability. Future sales and leases will be subject to digital verification and strict oversight.
“The lifting of the ban does not signify a return to business as usual,” Mahama said. “It signals a new disciplined era of land management. We are embarking on a reset that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and justice.”
The Lands Commission, which oversees the administration of state lands, will be tasked with enforcing the updated protocols, as part of a broader effort to restore public trust in government land dealings.
