Dr. Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, a land expert and legal practitioner, has shared his views on John Dramani Mahama’s ‘24-hour economy’ initiative, which is contained in the National Democratic Congress’ 2024 Manifesto.
He asserts that this concept could greatly benefit Ghanaians, particularly in land management and addressing persistent land disputes.
Speaking at the Annual Real Estate Society Conference in Livingstone, Zambia, Dr. Akwensivie was certain about the potential of the 24-hour economy to enhance the efficiency in land administration as well as in the judiciary.
The conference, organised by AfRES, a continent-wide organisation, dedicated to promoting research and networking among property professionals – attracted over 1,000 participants this year.
The theme: “Smart Cities in Africa for the 21st Century,” focused on innovative solutions to real estate challenges across the continent.
According to him, improved land administration would likely reduce conflicts over boundaries and ownership, thereby decreasing land-related litigation.
He noted that implementing a 24-hour economy could significantly impact land service delivery by public sector agencies in Ghana.
Dr. Akwensivie pointed to the substantial backlog of land registration applications at the Lands Commission, where lengthy processing times have delayed approvals.
He believes a shift system could help the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and the Lands Commission to expedite processing in various divisions, including Survey & Mapping and Land Registration.
“Some applications can take over a year to finalise,” he said, advocating for a system that would allow for quicker service and reduce reliance on intermediaries, often referred to as “goro-boys.” By working at night, the public sector could potentially complete simpler cases within a 24-hour timeframe.
Dr. Akwensivie emphasised that enhancing service delivery could improve Ghana’s position in global rankings, like The World Bank’s Doing Business Report, ultimately making the country more attractive for foreign direct investment.
He lauded the crucial role the Lands Commission plays in national development, as quicker service can aid investors in making timely decisions.
The land expert also mentioned that financial institutions would benefit from faster processing times for loan applicants, which could lead to quicker approvals and improved efficiency for professionals in the built environment, such as architects and engineers.
Drawing lessons from developed countries that have adopted the 24-hour economy, Dr. Akwensivie proposed a strategy of three shifts per job, as a transformative approach for Ghana.
