The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has inaugurated a 20-member Greater Accra Public Lands Protection Taskforce as part of efforts to curb encroachment on public lands and safeguard state properties across the region.
The taskforce, inaugurated on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, comprises representatives from the Lands Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and selected members from the private sector.
Its primary mandate is to monitor and protect public lands, prevent unlawful occupation and support the recovery of state lands that have been encroached upon.
Addressing members at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Mr. Buah underscored the importance of preserving public lands, describing them as critical national assets needed to support infrastructure development, public institutions and other essential services.
He expressed concern over the increasing cases of illegal occupation of state lands, noting that such activities have deprived the country of valuable resources and undermined national development efforts.
“Public lands are not meant for individual exploitation or unlawful occupation. They are national assets that must be preserved for the development of our country and for public use,” the Minister stated.
According to him, the newly constituted taskforce will play a central role in enforcing laws relating to public lands by conducting inspections, responding to reports of encroachment and ensuring compliance with directives aimed at protecting state properties.
He charged members to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, fairness and integrity, stressing that public confidence in the initiative would depend largely on their conduct and commitment to duty.
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, also urged the taskforce to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the discharge of its mandate.
He warned members against actions that could undermine the credibility of the taskforce and assured them of the Ministry’s support in executing their duties.
“At the same time, your activities will be subject to close monitoring to ensure that the objectives for which this taskforce has been established are achieved,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the chairperson of the taskforce, a representative of the group expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the confidence reposed in its members and pledged their commitment to the assignment.
He assured the Minister that the taskforce would work diligently and impartially to protect public lands and support government efforts to preserve state assets for future generations.
The inauguration forms part of a broader national strategy by the Ministry to strengthen the protection of public lands across the country. Similar taskforces are expected to be established in the remaining regions in the coming weeks.
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