Women seeking to acquire land in Ghana have been strongly advised to engage lawyers at the earliest stage of any transaction, as stakeholders warn that failure to secure legal backing continues to expose many to fraud and costly disputes.
The advice was given at a women-focused property education forum organised by Own Your Space, which brought together experts from the legal, real estate, mortgage, insurance and construction sectors to equip women with practical knowledge on safe land acquisition.
Legal Advice Not Optional
Delivering a presentation, Madam Abena Boakye of the Robert Smith Legal Group emphasised that engaging a lawyer should be the starting point, not an afterthought.
“The most important step before you even think of buying land is to get a lawyer,” she told participants, noting that many women only seek legal help after encountering problems.
According to her, lawyers are able to verify ownership, detect forged documents and uncover hidden disputes, including ongoing litigation that may not be obvious through informal checks.
Due Diligence Critical
Madam Boakye stressed that proper due diligence, anchored on legal guidance, includes conducting searches at the Lands Commission, verifying the identity of sellers, confirming traditional authority, and securing spousal or family consent where applicable. She warned against rushing into payments without completing these processes.
“You may think the cost of a search or legal advice is high, but it is far cheaper than losing your entire investment,” she cautioned, reiterating “Pay nothing until due diligence is complete.”
Supporting her position, Mr. Douglas N. Boahene, Team Lead for Land, Construction and Estate at Robert Smith Legal Chamber, cautioned women against assuming that land title certificates guarantee safety.
“The presence of a certificate does not mean the land is free from problems. If you have not verified it, you should not rely on it,” he warned, explaining that forged documents are increasingly difficult to detect without professional expertise.
Fraud Schemes Persist
Speakers at the forum highlighted common risks in Ghana’s land sector, including double sales, impersonation of landowners and unauthorised sale of family or vested lands.
They noted that such schemes often succeed because buyers fail to involve professionals early in the process.
“Once you make payment without proper checks, recovering your money can be extremely difficult,” participants were told.
The Convenor of Own Your Space, Madam Amma Naaabia Boachie-Danquah, underscored that the initiative was deliberately designed to empower women with the knowledge needed to navigate land transactions confidently.
She noted that women are often disproportionately affected by land disputes due to limited access to technical and legal information.
“This programme is about equipping women to take informed decisions and protect their investments,” she said, adding that feedback from participants had been overwhelmingly positive.
The Convenor indicated that the initiative would be sustained and possibly expanded, with future sessions expected to include surveyors and other technical experts to deepen participants’ understanding of the property acquisition process.
“Ignorance is not an excuse. It is important that women understand what the law requires before committing their money,” she added.
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