The Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources inaugurated a 20-member Greater Accra Public Lands Protection Taskforce. Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah launched the taskforce on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Accra. This team will strengthen efforts to protect and preserve public lands in the region.
This taskforce aims to stop illegal occupation and encroachment on state lands. Such activities have caused significant financial losses to the country. Land grabbing also disrupts plans for national development, infrastructure growth, and public services. The team includes representatives from the Lands Commission, the Ministry, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the private sector.
Protecting public lands is a national priority for Ghana's economic stability and future growth. Public lands are strategic national assets vital for building essential infrastructure like roads, hospitals, and schools. Unlawful occupation of these lands often leads to costly legal battles and delays in critical public projects. This directly impacts the government’s ability to deliver services and impedes economic progress across various sectors.
Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah stated that public lands are not for individual exploitation. He stressed they are national assets to be preserved for the country's development and public use. He added that the taskforce will monitor, inspect, and protect public lands across Greater Accra. It will also respond to encroachment reports and enforce lawful directives on land protection. Similar taskforces are expected to launch in other regions across Ghana.
The taskforce's actions will significantly influence property markets and investor confidence in Ghana. Clear land ownership and protection reduces investment risks. This could attract more foreign and local investment into infrastructure and real estate projects. Their efforts will also determine the success of future urban planning initiatives and government development programmes. Decision-makers and the public will closely watch the taskforce's ability to recover GHS 4.2 billion worth of illegally occupied state lands, if estimates are accurate, restoring public trust in land management.