Ending land conflicts in Gh: Observe rules, engage experts – Dr. Ebenezer Ankomah Gyamera - Geoscientist
A Geoscientist with the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Ebenezer Nana Gyamera, is calling on the public to adhere to procedure if the country wants to see an end to negative issues surrounding land acquisitions, ownership and registration in the Ghana.
He explains that the move will help bring an abrupt end to the acrimony that characterises the acquisition process as not only are people losing their investments but others are also duped, maimed or even lose their lives in their quest to own or acquire lands in the country.
Speaking in an interview with EIBs central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour following issues of demolition of houses at Kasoa, Cape Coast and other parts of the region as a result of disputes, Dr. Ebenezer Nana Gyamera who is also the chief Executive of Gyam Engineering and Construction in Cape Coast explained that such issues could have been averted if due diligence was exhibited in acquiring such lands.
“The issue of double sale or lease of land to unsuspecting public by dubious characters will indeed become a thing of a past if the right steps are followed in acquiring the said lands” he stated .
Ignorance, he explains has indeed played a huge role in acrimony surrounding land acquisition and ownership as a lot of people even pay money for the land before authenticating the documents relating to the land .
Dr. Ebenezer Gyamera explains that the first step in acquiring a land after inspecting the said parcel of land is to proceed to the lands commission for a search on the land title to know the rightful owners of the land in question so that the buyer is sure he is dealing with genuine owners of the land and even preventing a potential double sales or lease situation leading to loss of one’s investment.
He adds that it is only when you are convinced about the search results in identifying the rightful owners that one must proceed in parting payment.
“You don’t advance payment before you authenticate the land and even you must contact the town and country planning office to know if the land in question could be used for the intended purpose as you can’t build for instance a home at a place earmarked for industrial purposes or mortuary or church at a residential area. You must also know the land types and the rules that govern them so that you don’t lose your investments in the long run” he stated.
He indicated that the brouhaha could easily be averted if people who want to acquire parcels of land would contract experts to seal the deal for them.
Such people, he indicated not only understand the acquisition, ownership and registration process but they also have the backing of law to initiate such transactions thereby safeguarding the interest of the public in such ventures.
“You can easily lose your money or investment so it is important you make a qualified and certified person guide you in your quest to own or acquire a land. Lawyers , certified surveyors and other land officers exist to aid you so in acquiring land it is important you employ their services in securing your investments so that you don’t weep later by losing your money to fraudsters who may dupe you in the process” he stated .
He also admonished the persons who want to buy larger parcels of land to insist on public hearing and witnessing in signing the land acquisition documents.
The move ,he explains will not only bring out any hiding conflict concerning the land so the buyer decides whether to go ahead with the transaction or not but also the community will then act as security over the property as they will help ward off any person who would want to lay claim to the land knowing well the original owner of that land.
” If you want to buy let’s say 50 acres and above of land ,alert the district assembly to call for a community hearing and witnessing on the matter so that the entire community witnesses it. By so doing not only will the community be aware of your presence and investment in the area but they will also help keep encroachers away from the land thereby acting as your security and witnesses in an event of even suit or challenge of your acquired land” he stated.
Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour
He explains that the move will help bring an abrupt end to the acrimony that characterises the acquisition process as not only are people losing their investments but others are also duped, maimed or even lose their lives in their quest to own or acquire lands in the country.
Speaking in an interview with EIBs central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour following issues of demolition of houses at Kasoa, Cape Coast and other parts of the region as a result of disputes, Dr. Ebenezer Nana Gyamera who is also the chief Executive of Gyam Engineering and Construction in Cape Coast explained that such issues could have been averted if due diligence was exhibited in acquiring such lands.
“The issue of double sale or lease of land to unsuspecting public by dubious characters will indeed become a thing of a past if the right steps are followed in acquiring the said lands” he stated .
Ignorance, he explains has indeed played a huge role in acrimony surrounding land acquisition and ownership as a lot of people even pay money for the land before authenticating the documents relating to the land .
Dr. Ebenezer Gyamera explains that the first step in acquiring a land after inspecting the said parcel of land is to proceed to the lands commission for a search on the land title to know the rightful owners of the land in question so that the buyer is sure he is dealing with genuine owners of the land and even preventing a potential double sales or lease situation leading to loss of one’s investment.
He adds that it is only when you are convinced about the search results in identifying the rightful owners that one must proceed in parting payment.
“You don’t advance payment before you authenticate the land and even you must contact the town and country planning office to know if the land in question could be used for the intended purpose as you can’t build for instance a home at a place earmarked for industrial purposes or mortuary or church at a residential area. You must also know the land types and the rules that govern them so that you don’t lose your investments in the long run” he stated.
He indicated that the brouhaha could easily be averted if people who want to acquire parcels of land would contract experts to seal the deal for them.
Such people, he indicated not only understand the acquisition, ownership and registration process but they also have the backing of law to initiate such transactions thereby safeguarding the interest of the public in such ventures.
“You can easily lose your money or investment so it is important you make a qualified and certified person guide you in your quest to own or acquire a land. Lawyers , certified surveyors and other land officers exist to aid you so in acquiring land it is important you employ their services in securing your investments so that you don’t weep later by losing your money to fraudsters who may dupe you in the process” he stated .
He also admonished the persons who want to buy larger parcels of land to insist on public hearing and witnessing in signing the land acquisition documents.
The move ,he explains will not only bring out any hiding conflict concerning the land so the buyer decides whether to go ahead with the transaction or not but also the community will then act as security over the property as they will help ward off any person who would want to lay claim to the land knowing well the original owner of that land.
” If you want to buy let’s say 50 acres and above of land ,alert the district assembly to call for a community hearing and witnessing on the matter so that the entire community witnesses it. By so doing not only will the community be aware of your presence and investment in the area but they will also help keep encroachers away from the land thereby acting as your security and witnesses in an event of even suit or challenge of your acquired land” he stated.
Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour
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