Validation workshop on land in Techiman

Techiman(B/A), Feb. 15, GNA - A day's validation workshop on the inventory of state acquired and occupied land has been held at Techiman in Brong-Ahafo Region. The workshop, jointly organised by the Brong Ahafo Regional Land Administration Project and Techiman Municipal Assembly, was attended by 100 participants made up of traditional rulers, heads of departments, the media and Non-Governmental Organizations. Mr Prince Yaw Donyina, Techiman Municipal Chief Executive, was optimistic that the project would help address problems militating against land administration in the municipality, especially with regards to traditional and state land ownership. He noted that the project when implemented efficiently and effectively, would address conflicts that had characterized land ownership within the municipality.

Mr Stephen Kumado, Member of the Inventory Task Force of LAP, said the project was to determine how the state occupied other lands without formal acquisition and determination of the quantum of compensation. He welcomed opinions and concerns of chiefs and stakeholders towards the project so that an exhaustive list of the state acquired land could be compiled to enrich the process of land reforms in the country. Mr Sandy A. Mensah, Brong Ahafo Regional Land Administration Project Coordinator, said the project would give meaning to Ghana's land policy document produced by Ministry of Land, Forestry and Mines in 1998. He disclosed that the project, which would be undertaken in phases, would eventually come out with a policy on compulsory acquisition and compensation, payment to some land owners and advised traditional authorities not to treat such payments as personal income but to use them towards the development of their communities, Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour, Hansuahene and Bamuhene of Techiman Traditional Area, called for proper documentation on lands within the municipality to avoid conflicts.