President John Dramani Mahama has lifted the ban on state land transactions.

The new directive follows an earlier order by the President to the Lands Commission
of Ghana to halt the sale of all state lands in January 2025.

Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted National Lands Commission on
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Jubilee House, the President stated that the
temporary ban has yielded results by offering new approaches to reforming the
current system.

“In pursuit of this reform agenda, my government placed a temporary ban on all
state land transactions to enable a thorough review of existing processes. That
exercise has yielded valuable insights into the weaknesses of our current system
and the urgent reforms that are required.

“So today, with the inauguration of the new commission and the adoption of robust
accountability measures, I’m pleased to announce that the ban on land transactions
has been lifted,” he said.

As part of the Commission’s mandate, President Mahama tasked the Commission
with ensuring that all land transactions and its management going forward are conducted strictly in accordance with the law.

“Henceforth, all land transactions, allocation, lease, or sale must strictly comply with transparent processes, data verification, and oversight mechanisms. The lifting of this ban must not signal a return to business as usual,” he stated.

Highlighting his government’s commitment to protecting state lands, the President unveiled four key pillars aimed at improving land management in the country.

President Mahama orders Lands Commission to halt all sales of public lands

These include restoring public confidence, reversing illegal state land transactions, and implementing other essential reforms.

“… An agenda that is rooted in four pillars; the first being to restore public confidence in land administration through transparency, fairness, and justice. Two, to reverse illegal land transactions, reclaiming encroached lands, and protecting public assets. Three, digitising, modernizing, and decentralising land services to ensure access and efficiency. And four, harmonising customary and statutory land systems to promote equity and coherence,” he added.

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