The National House of Chiefs has rejected a proposal to combine the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission. Chiefs want the OASL to remain a separate, independent government body. They believe this independence is crucial for managing funds generated from stool lands effectively.
The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) had recommended this merger. The House of Chiefs, however, believes this would be a step backward. They recall that the OASL was created precisely because stool land revenue management was poor under the previous Lands Commission. This happened before the 1992 Constitution was established. Chiefs sought better control over their revenue to benefit their communities.
Stool lands in Ghana generate income from many sources. These include rent, royalties, and business agreements. The OASL was set up to manage this money efficiently. It was also meant to promote openness and accountability. Before OASL, handling these funds was often chaotic. The office ensures proper records are kept. It also helps ensure beneficiaries receive their fair share of the revenue. The OASL also helps protect stool lands. It supports traditional leaders in managing these lands well. It separates the management of land revenue from land ownership.
The National House of Chiefs is adamant about keeping OASL separate. They stated they are convinced the CRC's recommendation will not help the chieftaincy system. The House explained that OASL was created for chiefs. Its work since then has been credible. Chiefs have always desired their funds to be managed separately. This ensures funds benefit both traditional rulers and local development projects. Merging OASL would defeat its original purpose. Its main focus is supporting stool and skin land administration. OASL was not just for collecting money. It also helps manage stool lands as stated in the 1992 Constitution. The merger proposal could push stool and skin land issues aside.
The OASL helps set up Customary Land Secretariats. It also gives advice to chiefs on land management. The House of Chiefs has noticed that the Lands Commission currently faces many court cases. Its bank accounts have had garnishee orders placed on them. This puts stool land revenue at risk. Chiefs are suspicious of mixing stool land funds with state land funds. Merging OASL with the Lands Commission could slow down access to money. Beneficiaries might face more paperwork.
The House refutes the idea that OASL and the Lands Commission need to merge. They argue that the claim they operate in separate segments is not true. Current laws require them to work together. Section 14 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) mandates this. Article 267(7)&(8) of the Constitution also requires it. Section 7(1)(2) of the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767) reinforces this collaboration. The House found that the Lands Commission has not managed state and vested lands well. It has caused many problems in recent years. This applies to about 15% to 20% of Ghana's land. The Lands Commission also struggles with managing the 2% of vested lands it oversees. Releasing ground rent from vested lands to OASL for chiefs can take a long time. Proper records for vested land revenue are also lacking.
The House recalled the 2008 merger of four land agencies. This merger created the current Lands Commission. That merger did not bring the expected results. It has worsened issues in managing public lands and land registration and surveying. Before the 2008 merger, the Land Valuation Board had offices in many districts. This brought services closer to people. These district offices have since closed. The House also stated that the separation of OASL from the Lands Commission in 1992 was deliberate. Chiefs saw that the Lands Commission had too much work. This affected its ability to serve the public efficiently. The old Lands Commission also managed fisheries, forestry, and mining.