The Sempe Stool in Accra has established a Customary Land Secretariat to enhance land documentation, strengthen tenure security, and minimize ownership and boundary disputes within its traditional area. This initiative was inaugurated on September 30, 2026. The secretariat aims to serve as a central repository for land records, providing reliable information on land interests and transactions to landowners, investors, and the general public.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by notable figures, including the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, traditional rulers, queen mothers, priests and priestesses, officials of the Lands Commission, and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands. The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between traditional authorities, the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, and the Lands Commission in improving customary land administration.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II encouraged other traditional areas, such as Abola, Otublohum, Akamaje, and Gbese, to establish similar secretariats. This, he believes, will make land documentation and registration more accessible. He also stressed the need for proper land registration, citing the laws and regulations governing land administration in Ghana, and urged traditional authorities and landowners to comply with the legal framework provided under the Lands Act.
Dr. Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, Administrator of Stool Lands, clarified that the secretariat's purpose is not to confiscate land from existing owners or occupants. Instead, it aims to document and preserve information on land rights and transactions for present and future generations. The facility will help the traditional authority document land interests, record transactions, and provide accurate information to stakeholders.
According to Dr. Akwensivie, the secretariat will contribute to tenure security and orderly land-use planning while supporting dispute resolution through alternative mechanisms. Effective customary land administration, he noted, can reduce land-related litigation and uncertainty surrounding land ownership and transactions. He urged staff and Land Management Committee members to uphold integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Dr. Akwensivie encouraged residents and landowners in various areas, including Lartebiokorshie, Mamprobi, and Ablekuma, to patronize the secretariat by documenting their land interests and supporting its operations. He emphasized that effective customary land administration is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation among traditional authorities, state institutions, landowners, and the public.
The establishment of the Sempe secretariat demonstrates the importance of collaboration in improving customary land administration. Key stakeholders, including traditional authorities and government institutions, are expected to work together to ensure the success of this initiative. The secretariat is poised to play a crucial role in reducing land disputes and promoting sustainable land management practices in the traditional area.
Key points
- The Sempe Stool's Customary Land Secretariat aims to improve land documentation and reduce ownership disputes.
- The secretariat will serve as a central repository for land records, providing reliable information to stakeholders.
- The initiative is expected to promote collaboration between traditional authorities, state institutions, and landowners in managing customary land administration.
