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Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has strongly opposed the undervaluation and sale of public lands, calling for any future transactions involving such lands to be conducted at current market rates to ensure fair value for the Ghanaian people.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 27, 2025, Armah-Kofi Buah criticised existing practices that allow public lands to be sold at a fraction of their true market value. This, he argued, deprives the nation of critical revenue and undermines national development.
He pointed out that the current guidelines used by the Lands Commission enable the sale of public lands at just 25 percent of their market value, with the remaining 75 percent paid through ground rent. Buah described this practice as deeply problematic, explaining, “As we speak, the guidelines for the sale of public lands according to the Lands Commission are that it is valued at 25 percent, and the 25 percent of the value is what is sold and the rest is paid through ground rent. That will not happen anymore, and first of all, it should not be sold, and if there is a need to sell, it should be done at the current market value so that Ghanaians are not shortchanged.”
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The practice of selling public lands at discounted rates, particularly to politically exposed persons (PEPs), has long been a contentious issue in Ghana. Reports have surfaced over the years of politicians, government officials, and their associates acquiring prime public lands in urban areas at prices well below their market value, often with limited public oversight and without transparent bidding processes.
These concerns have raised alarms about favouritism, abuse of office, and the potential loss of revenue for the state. Critics argue that such practices undermine public trust in government institutions and contribute to a perception of corruption.
Armah-Kofi Buah’s stance marks a clear break from past practices, as he vowed to bring much-needed transparency and fairness to the sale of public lands. His commitment to selling public assets at market value is seen as part of a broader agenda to tackle mismanagement and improve accountability within the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.
Buah’s statement comes as the government faces increasing calls for reform to safeguard national assets and ensure that public lands are used in a manner that benefits all Ghanaians.
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