President John Dramani Mahama has officially lifted the temporary ban on state and public land transactions, reopening the system under new reforms designed to end years of abuse and restore public trust in land administration.
The ban, first imposed in January 2025, was meant to freeze all sales, leases, and transfers of state lands while the government conducted a sweeping review of existing contracts and administrative practices.
The exercise, according to the President, exposed serious loopholes that allowed political elites and well-connected individuals to benefit unfairly from public assets.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Lands Commission Board on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, President Mahama said the lifting of the ban was not a return to “business as usual,” but the beginning of a new regime of discipline in land governance.
“The lifting of the ban does not signify a return to business as usual. It signals a new disciplined era of land management. We are embarking on a reset that prioritises transparency, fairness, and justice in land administration,” Mahama stated.
The President explained that new checks will guide the allocation and processing of state lands, with a focus on ensuring equitable access, accountability, and the prevention of political manipulation.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority had earlier demanded that the ban be reversed, arguing it stalled economic activity and unfairly restricted legitimate landholders. But Mahama maintained that the pause was necessary to protect state resources and introduce systemic reforms.
The Lands Commission, under its new board, is now expected to roll out clear guidelines that will govern how state lands are sold, leased, or transferred, in line with the government’s push for fairness and transparency.
