The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) has stressed that government’s determination to digitalize land administration in the country requires the communal and dedicated efforts of everyone, especially, staff of the Lands Commission.
Delivering a key note address at the 2022 management retreat of the Lands Commission, themed “Achieving Institutional Excellence in Land Service Delivery through Modern Technology, Human Resource Development, and Private Sector Participation’ on Monday, March 14, 2022, in Accra, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, indicated that even though the mining sector contributes significantly to the country’s growth and development, the lands sector is the bedrock of socio-economic development of the country, adding that an effective lands administration is paramount.
Whiles reminding staff of the Lands Commission of the integral role their outfit plays in the country, Hon. Jinapor said it has become necessary for the government to undertake holistic changes that will revamp the commission and ensure that it operates at optimum level.
The Minister outlined two measures that he accentuates will lead to the new drive for the commission that will serve the purpose for which it was set up.
He cited Governments effort as part of the measures to achieve this feat. He said government will create the enabling environment to ensure staff of the commission become comfortable and efficient whiles at their job saying, staff of the commission as part of the measures to revamp the commission will have to practice the best of ethics in relation to executing their duties.
In furtherance of this commendable objective, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor disclosed the partnership with private firms to digitalize the commission and promote efficiency, transparency and productivity in the Lands administration.
He dismissed notions from a section of the public that the private sector will take over the job of the Lands Commission when handed over the digitalization exercise but was however quick to emphasize that the moves being made by government are to propel the commission to take its rightful place in the country as an effective lands administration institution.
He further disclosed that he is working together with the Executive Director of the Commission to ensure that “we go through the proper lay down processes so that we don’t say we are coming to change or reform Lands Commission only for it to turn out that we sold the Lands Commission or it has lost its constitutional powers or we did not get what we bargain for”.
Hon. Jinapor maintained that he has adopted a non-negotiable stance on the country getting value for money in the agreement and that he is being vigilant to protect the national interest.
He, therefore, charged the staff of the commission to join forces and collaborate with his outfit to achieve the purpose as it will guarantee success in their operations and relieve them of some burden in the execution of their charges.
“The whole thing we are making is actually a process of partnership with a private sector to ensure that the whole regime of land administration in the country is revolutionized, reformed and changed from the point of how we keep our records to the environment we work in, our work spaces, all the way to welfare issues. These are the gamut of parts we are putting together so that land administration in the country will become effective and efficient,” he said.
“I want us to work as a team and partners. I’m very clear in my mind what my responsibilities and duties are and I assure you I will discharge them to the best of my ability. Mine is to offer you leadership and to be your voice and advocate within the central government so that what is due you and required for you to be able to do your work well, I will be able to offer it. I want you to reciprocate same, that we work together and change the face of land administration in the country. Let’s do so on the basis of integrity and transparency”, he concluded.
The National Chairman of the Lands Commission, Alex Quaynor Esq. reiterated the need for a comprehensive reform of Lands Commission.
He stated that the retreat marks the beginning of a drive to reform the commission on all fronts and ensure that not only its record keeping are digitalized but also every aspect of the commission undergoes positive change.