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Thursday, July 19, 2012
Land Ownership issues killing real estate in Ghana (part 1)
I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own. -Andy Warhol
Land is always an issue. The farmer, government, chiefs, developers, companies and individuals have issues with land ownership.
Ghana with a population of 25 million is a very poor country. Formerly known as the Gold Coast (Land of Gold), it was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from Britain in 1957.
However, rapid development is hounding the nation due to land ownership issues which turns to delay national development projects.
Under the 1992 Constitution, there were two types of land ownership; the stool lands system whereby the traditional authorities and family heads were responsible, and Government lands.
Interestingly, some of the traditional leaders are ignorant of the constitutional provisions regarding land and land title issues in the country.
As part of measures to improve on the land administration system in the country the government must embark on mapping and surveying of lands to create boundaries.
The Ministry of lands and forestry must resource the office of Stool Lands and the Town and Country Planning Department, to address issues of land planning.
The President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Mr. Daniel Kofi Kyere stated that numerous boundary disputes that had led to chieftaincy misunderstanding and death would have been prevented if the state had adequately utilized the expertise of a surveyor.
According to him, the government map up strategies to solve the land ownership crisis.
Mr. Daniel Kofi Kyere says potential buyers should first consult the appropriate agencies involved in legally acquiring property, since identifying legal ownership can be a problem.
The Managing Director of State Housing Company, Dr Mark Nii Ankrah lamented that land encroachment has been a major concern in the industry. He stated the security agencies should team up and protect and prevent state and individual properties from been encroached.
The UN Habitat stated that Secure land tenure and property rights are fundamental to shelter and livelihoods, and a cornerstone for the realisation of human rights and for poverty reduction. Secure land rights are particularly important in helping reverse gender discrimination, social exclusion of vulnerable groups, and wider social and economic inequalities linked to inequitable and insecure access to land.
On the margins of the Sahara in Mali and Guinea-Conakry, the key question at every farmer’s focus group was whether or not they owned the land that they farmed. Land was an issue.
Mozambique and Angola, bullet-holes still in buildings and wrecked aircraft dotting the jungle below, not water, not food, but land was the key issue.
Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Land and Forestry announced that a Land Bill was in the offing will help address challenges in the land administration, and said a secretariat would be established to regulate the use of land in the country, to avoid mismanagement and other critical land issues.
How do land issues get resolved? Well, basically someone has to give up land that they own. Ideally it would be the government.
“To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.” – W.E.B. Du Bois
By: Samuel Mantey
Property Express
Email: Sammyoo3@yahoo.com
UN Habitat wants Sound land policies to protect people from forced evictions
Secure land tenure and property rights are fundamental to shelter and
livelihoods, and a cornerstone for the realisation of human rights and
for poverty reduction. Secure land rights are particularly important in
helping reverse gender discrimination, social exclusion of vulnerable
groups, and wider social and economic inequalities linked to inequitable
and insecure access to land.
The UN Habitat have recommended Sound land policies should protect people from forced removals and evictions, or where displacement is determined by legitimate processes as necessary for the greater public good and is carried out in conformity with national and international norms, ensure they have access to adequate compensation.
The Millennium Development Goal 7, Target 11, commits the international community to improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020. However, according to UN Habitat rural urban migration, natural increase and expansion of urban centres all contribute to rapid urbanisation resulting in the constant increase in the number of slum dwellers.
The report recognised that secure land and property rights for all are essential to reducing poverty, because they underpin economic development and social inclusion. Secure land tenure and property rights enable people in rural and urban areas to invest in improved homes and livelihoods.
They also help to promote good environmental management, improve food security, and assist directly in the realization of human rights, including the elimination of discrimination against women, the vulnerable, indigenous groups and other minorities.
The UN are now seeing important changes in land policies, which reflect these principles in a variety of countries across the world.
Today, however, land resources face multiple pressures and demands as never before, and developing countries still lack the tools, systematic strategies and support necessary to deliver secure land rights for all.
The world agency have identified another critical dimension in ensuring gender equality, because women face such widespread discrimination in questions of land and property. Yet when women enjoy secure and equal rights, everybody benefits. Also, a secure land rights for all citizen contributes to conflicts reduction and improvement in environmental management as well as household living conditions.
By: Samuel Mantey
Property Express
Email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com
The UN Habitat have recommended Sound land policies should protect people from forced removals and evictions, or where displacement is determined by legitimate processes as necessary for the greater public good and is carried out in conformity with national and international norms, ensure they have access to adequate compensation.
The Millennium Development Goal 7, Target 11, commits the international community to improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020. However, according to UN Habitat rural urban migration, natural increase and expansion of urban centres all contribute to rapid urbanisation resulting in the constant increase in the number of slum dwellers.
The report recognised that secure land and property rights for all are essential to reducing poverty, because they underpin economic development and social inclusion. Secure land tenure and property rights enable people in rural and urban areas to invest in improved homes and livelihoods.
They also help to promote good environmental management, improve food security, and assist directly in the realization of human rights, including the elimination of discrimination against women, the vulnerable, indigenous groups and other minorities.
The UN are now seeing important changes in land policies, which reflect these principles in a variety of countries across the world.
Today, however, land resources face multiple pressures and demands as never before, and developing countries still lack the tools, systematic strategies and support necessary to deliver secure land rights for all.
The world agency have identified another critical dimension in ensuring gender equality, because women face such widespread discrimination in questions of land and property. Yet when women enjoy secure and equal rights, everybody benefits. Also, a secure land rights for all citizen contributes to conflicts reduction and improvement in environmental management as well as household living conditions.
By: Samuel Mantey
Property Express
Email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com
State Housing registry to house Ghanaians in the diaspora
The State Housing Company (SHC) has officially opened registration for
the first National Housing Registry to provide affordable social housing
for the public and Ghanaians in the diaspora.
Ghanaians in the diaspora will have to register with their personal details with Property Express Limited; partners of the housing data to enable them owe a house with the state housing company.
So far about 104 locals have registered with the company 8 hours after the national housing registry was opened.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah, Managing Director, told newsmen in Accra that the National Registry would unravel innovative strategies adopted by the asset rich company in line with public sector housing.
He stated that the houses which will be located in Kaneshie, Larterbiokorshie, Kanda and Adenta all in the heart of the capital city for rent, to accommodate the demand.
“The commercial and social facilities that come with the affordable houses in each site include a shopping mall complex, medical centre, place of worship, schools, police and security points, among others”, he added.
He said the first national housing registry will collate a national data on the statistics of the total number of housing demand in the country.
The MD said project is meant to deliver affordable houses for upper, middle and lower income government workers and the public.
According to him, the housing unit which will be completed in the next 36 months will make use of state of the art green technology and other favourable environmental technology to make life more comfortable.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah, Managing Director noted that the housing needs of the urban inhabitants are often restricted to sub-standard structures, unsanitary environments and squatter and slum communities. Today, that situation will be a thing of the past with the implementation of the housing registration, he emphasized.
The SHC has a vision for strong, safe and stable communities in the country. It is that wherever we live and wherever we are, we can have access to the things that make our lives fulfilling, including decent housing and a sense of belonging to the community in which we live.
According to him, bad homes compromise human development.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah noted that the SHC will soon commence new estates outside the urban centers to spread development across the nation.
Break down of criteria
Formal identification
*Birth certificate and Passport/travel document
*Driver’s license
*Voter’s ID
Verifiable employment or business
*Social Security number
*Tax identification number
*Must be 21 years or older
*Must be ready, able and willing to rent or buy a home
*Must be able and willing to pay the following non-refundable registration fees
No. of Bedroom/Unit Non-refundable registration fee (in cedis)
Studio/ 1 bedroom 100.00
2 bedroom 130.00
3 bedroom 150.00
4 plus bedroom 200.00
For Registration forms, contact Irene Agyenkwa on +442079934011 or e mail pawards@yahoo.com for Diaspora registration forms.
By: Samuel Mantey
Property Express
Email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com
Ghanaians in the diaspora will have to register with their personal details with Property Express Limited; partners of the housing data to enable them owe a house with the state housing company.
So far about 104 locals have registered with the company 8 hours after the national housing registry was opened.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah, Managing Director, told newsmen in Accra that the National Registry would unravel innovative strategies adopted by the asset rich company in line with public sector housing.
He stated that the houses which will be located in Kaneshie, Larterbiokorshie, Kanda and Adenta all in the heart of the capital city for rent, to accommodate the demand.
“The commercial and social facilities that come with the affordable houses in each site include a shopping mall complex, medical centre, place of worship, schools, police and security points, among others”, he added.
He said the first national housing registry will collate a national data on the statistics of the total number of housing demand in the country.
The MD said project is meant to deliver affordable houses for upper, middle and lower income government workers and the public.
According to him, the housing unit which will be completed in the next 36 months will make use of state of the art green technology and other favourable environmental technology to make life more comfortable.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah, Managing Director noted that the housing needs of the urban inhabitants are often restricted to sub-standard structures, unsanitary environments and squatter and slum communities. Today, that situation will be a thing of the past with the implementation of the housing registration, he emphasized.
The SHC has a vision for strong, safe and stable communities in the country. It is that wherever we live and wherever we are, we can have access to the things that make our lives fulfilling, including decent housing and a sense of belonging to the community in which we live.
According to him, bad homes compromise human development.
Dr Mark Nii Ankrah noted that the SHC will soon commence new estates outside the urban centers to spread development across the nation.
Break down of criteria
Formal identification
*Birth certificate and Passport/travel document
*Driver’s license
*Voter’s ID
Verifiable employment or business
*Social Security number
*Tax identification number
*Must be 21 years or older
*Must be ready, able and willing to rent or buy a home
*Must be able and willing to pay the following non-refundable registration fees
No. of Bedroom/Unit Non-refundable registration fee (in cedis)
Studio/ 1 bedroom 100.00
2 bedroom 130.00
3 bedroom 150.00
4 plus bedroom 200.00
For Registration forms, contact Irene Agyenkwa on +442079934011 or e mail pawards@yahoo.com for Diaspora registration forms.
By: Samuel Mantey
Property Express
Email: sammyoo3@yahoo.com
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