Key persons launching the report
A study report by Caritas Ghana on land rights and acquisition in some local communities has revealed that there is low education on the legal frameworks involved in land acquisition.
According to the report this low level of knowledge has resulted in landowners’ land rights being abused.
The study, was conducted in Tanchara, the Upper West Region, Babator in the Savannah region, Breweniase in the Oti region, and Okumaning in the Eastern region.
The results point to the fact that 73 percent of respondents in Tanchara, 51 percent in Subinso, and 81.8 percent of respondents in Babator demonstrated lack of knowledge on land frameworks and processes on land acquisition.
According to the report, these scenarios have the tendency of creating land property disputes among citizenry and the local stakeholders or traditional authority.
Additionally issues of double sale of land property results in double ownership and in effect create conflict.
The report therefore recommended heightened education and sensitization on land rights and proper land documentation and registration.
The report was launched with support from Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) with the aim to demonstrate the collective power of faith and non-faith actors in the country working in solidarity to address the issues of land rights, land acquisition, and food sovereignty.
Chairperson of Caritas Ghana, Sr. Regina Aflah, highlighted Caritas’ dedication to address land acquisition issues in Ghana.
“By reflecting input from peasant farmers and indigenes from our four community sources, we will continue listening and responding to help ensure that our social-mission efforts help to ensure food security and rights protection,” she stated.
She added that the report will be a valuable addition to existing body of knowledge and strengthen CSO’s dialogue and actions to strive for equitable land access and food security.
By Abigail Atinuke Seyram Adeyemi