"Resolve all land-related disputes in the region" – Deputy Lands Minister charges Upper East Regional Lands Commission

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Sulemana Yusif, has tasked the newly inaugurated Upper East Regional Lands Commission to take proactive steps to resolve all land-related disputes and conflicts in the region.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 17-member board in Bolgatanga on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Hon. Sulemana emphasized the need for the Commission to uphold its constitutional mandate and manage lands in a fair, transparent, and professional manner.

“The days of disposing of land without recourse to the Regional Lands Commission should be a thing of the past. You must jealously guard the powers vested in you by the Constitution and exercise them in honesty and good faith to ensure coordinated development,” he stressed.

He urged the Commission to work closely with traditional leaders and other stakeholders to address longstanding land disputes, which he noted, continue to threaten peace and development in the region.

Hon. Sulemana added that government’s broader vision of transitioning into a 24-hour economy requires efficient land administration systems that promote investor confidence and improve the ease of doing business.

He warned that failure to deliver on their mandate could lead to uncoordinated and haphazard development across the region.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, also addressed the gathering and called on the Commission to improve land registration systems to attract more investors.

He reminded the board that their role is critical to economic growth, stability, and peace.

“You have been entrusted with a responsibility that directly affects livelihoods, investments, and the peace of the region. You are therefore required to exhibit a high sense of professionalism, integrity, and diligence in the discharge of your mandate,” he charged.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith