How to Acquire and Register a Land in Ghana

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Acquiring lands in Ghana is something that involves a lot. Without experience, therefore, one is likely to get into several problems. Many people who have bought lands without any experience have either lost it or have had to fight for it in court.  Since we would always need lands for agricultural or building or leasing purposes, it is necessary to find out the right way of acquiring and registering lands in Ghana.

Before we delve into the process and procedures for purchasing land in Ghana, let us update ourselves with the various forms of interest that exist over land and persons they are vested in.

Land Ownership in Ghana

    1. STOOL/ SKIN LANDS: These are lands under the custodianship of various chiefs
    2. INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE LANDS: These are lands owned by individuals and private entities.
    3. FAMILY LANDS: These are lands managed by Heads of families assisted by principal members of the families.
    4. STATE AND STOOL VESTED LANDS: These are lands managed by the Lands Commission

Types of Interest in Land

A Legal interest in a land refers to the legally enforceable right to possess or use property.  When acquiring a land, it is necessary to find out the period within which you can use it to avoid future problems. These are some types of land interests:

The Allodial Title

The allodial title is the highest title in land recognized by law. Only traditional leaders, families or the Ghanaian government can hold such a title. It has an absolute interest meaning it does not expire.

Freehold Title

There are two forms of freehold title interest:

  • Customary freehold: This is an interest that individuals or groups hold in a land, which is owned by a larger traditional community – the allodial owner –  of which the interest holders are members or subjects. It is an interest that is transferrable to successors of the individual or subgroups until there are no successors.
  • Common law freehold – Common law freehold is similar to the customary freehold. The difference, however, is that this interest can be acquired by both strangers and members of the community that owns the land. A stranger in this regard refers to a Ghanaian who is not a member of the land-owning community. It is important to note that the 1992 Constitution by article 267 (5) forbids the creation of freehold interests in stool land in Ghana.

Leasehold

A leasehold/lease is an interest in land that has a specified start and end for a period, subject to payment of annual ground rents and covenants. It usually expires from 50 to 99 years.

Tenancy

They are created under contractual, share-cropping or other customary tenancy arrangements. Two very common tenancies in the Akan areas are “Abunu” where the land is acquired from the owner and “Abusa” or “do ma yenkye”, where farm proceeds are divided into two- thirds between the farmer and the landowner. Other areas have different names for these arrangements in the local dialects.

Licensing

Someone may acquire a land but not acquire it absolutely. A licence to operate is usually given to him/her temporally. These include lands near highways etc. Since we know there would be future developments in such areas, those lands are not sold absolutely, a license is given out for temporal use. This means that one does not have to put up a well-structured building on it. They usually last for three or five years.

Acquisition of Land

To acquire the land, it would be necessary to determine what you are going to use the land for be it for residential or commercial properties or agricultural purposes or recreational purposes. This would help determine the kind of land to acquire. You can acquire land through the following:

CHIEFS: This is predominant in the Ashanti Region. You acquire the land from the chief and he gives you an acquisition note and the site plan (Plan of the land you are acquiring.)

INDIVIDUALS: Here, you acquire the land from a private individual who may have acquired the land from someone else or from a chief. One must be very careful when purchasing from individuals. It would be necessary to research on the land to see if it really belongs to the person. Also, you need to know if it has not been sold to anyone else or if the land has not been taped for future national projects. Again, let the seller provide certified site plan demarcating the precise location of the land including its coordinates. It is necessary not to exchange money until you are assured of the land and have negotiated sales term.

FAMILY HEADS: Here, you acquire the land from a family head.

COURT: Here, you acquire the land from the court through auctions.

 

Registration of Land (How to Register a Land in Ghana)

STOOL/ SKIN LANDS-Registration procedures

  1. Applicant/developer negotiates with the chief concerned for the land.
  2. Three copies of the document executed between the chief and the applicant to be submitted to Lands commission
  3. A solicitor of the supreme court (i.e. a practising lawyer) must sign the back of each copy with his stamp duly affixed.
  4. Each copy of the document must have a site plan attached. Two extra site plans, making five (5) in all must accompany the documents.
  5. The back of the site plans are to be endorsed by both the chief (lessor)/seller and the applicant (lessee)/buyer.
  6. Each site plan is to be certified by the stamps of a licensed surveyor and the Regional surveyor and duly dated.
  7. At least two principal Elders of the stool (with status) must sign as witnesses.
  8. The witnesses of the applicant (lessee)/buyer must write full names, provide addresses and signature.
  9. Documents must be submitted to lands commission.
  10. Processing and registration fees should be paid.
  11. Chairman of Lands commission grants concurrence.
  12. Documents are released for stamping at land valuation Board.
  13. Applicant obtains a Tax Clearance Certificate at Internal Revenue Service.
  14. The document is registered at Deeds Registry at Lands commission.
  15. The applicant pays first year’s ground rent
  16. Original copy of the document is released to the applicant.

 

INDIVIDUAL / PRIVATE LANDS-Registration procedures

  1. Applicant/developer negotiates with the actual owner concerned for the land.
  2. Three copies of the document executed between the actual owner and the applicant to be submitted to Lands commission
  3. A solicitor of the supreme court (i.e. a practising lawyer) must sign the back of each copy with his stamp duly affixed.
  4. Each copy of the document must have a site plan attached. Two extra site plans, making five (5) in all must accompany the documents.
  5. The back of the site plans are to be endorsed by both the actual owner (lessor) /seller and the applicant (lessee)/buyer.
  6. Each site plan is to be certified by the stamps of a licensed surveyor and the Regional surveyor and duly dated.
  7. At least two principal Elders of the stool (with status) must sign as witnesses.
  8. The witnesses of the applicant (lessee)/buyer must write full names, provide addresses and signature.
  9. Documents must be submitted to lands commission.
  10. Processing and registration fees paid.
  11. Documents processed at Lands commission.
  12. Documents released for stamping at land valuation Board.
  13. Applicant obtains Tax Clearance Certificate at Internal Revenue Service.
  14. Document registered at Deeds Registry at Lands commission.
  15. Original copy released to Applicant.

FAMILY LANDS-Registration procedures

  1. Applicant/developer negotiates with the family Head and principal members of the family concerned for the land.
  2. Three copies of the document executed between the family Head and principal members of the family and the applicant to be submitted to Lands commission
  3. A solicitor of the supreme court (i.e. a practicing lawyer) must sign the back of each copy with his stamp duly affixed.
  4. Each copy of the document must have a site plan attached. Two extra site plans, making five (5) in all must accompany the documents.
  5. The back of the site plans are to be endorsed by both the actual owner (lessor) /seller and the applicant (lessee)/buyer.
  6. Each site plan is to be certified by the stamps of a licensed surveyor and the Regional surveyor and duly dated.
  7. At least two principal Elders of the stool (with status) must sign as witnesses.
  8. The witnesses of the applicant (lessee)/buyer must write full names, provide addresses and signature.
  9. Documents submitted to lands commission.
  10. Processing and registration fees paid.
  11. Documents processed at Lands commission.
  12. Documents released for stamping at land valuation Board.
  13. Applicant obtains Tax Clearance Certificate at Internal Revenue Service.
  14. Document registered at Deeds Registry at Lands commission.
  15. Original copy released to Applicant.

LET’S HELP YOU REGISTER A LAND IN GHANA

As seen above, the process involved in successfully acquiring and registering a land is quite strenuous. Are you wondering how you can acquire and register a land without going through all the stress? Azunus Realty consult is at your service. We serve as an agent in acquiring and registering lands on your behalf.

In acquiring a land, it is necessary to get someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the field to lead you. This is to avoid problems, loss of land after acquisition, court issues etc. Azunus Realty Consult brings on board many years of experience and expertise in acquiring and registering lands in Ghana.

You, therefore, need not go through the hustle of securing a land all by yourself only to lose it later. We do all the necessary work to make sure the land you desire is registered and available to you for your use without any hindrances.

Our online portal also helps you locate lands to acquire. You search for available lands at various locations and choose from among them. After making your choice, we take it from there. We give you the necessary information you need to know concerning acquiring and registering it. After your approval, we represent you, acquire the land and register it on your behalf.

Acquiring and registering lands in Ghana is made easy with Azunus Realty Consult. Contact us now!

2 COMMENTS

  1. Dear Azunus,
    Please, I need some clarification first before arranging with you to assist me in registering my farm land. I bought 15 Acre land near Kumasi as farm land from a chief. He issued to me acquisition note signed and witnessed by both parties. I did the site plan in addition to the acquisition note.
    Does these two documents qualifies me to register the land which I bought it since 2006.
    Please I need your help
    Regards,
    Thomas Duah

    • Dear Thomas, Thank you for contacting. Yes, the Site plan and allocation note is exactly what is needed to carry out a deed registration. Depending on the area in which the land is situated, you may also be required to acquire a second allocation noted from th CUstomary Lands Secretariate. I advise you to visit the front desk of the Lands Comision to begin the process of registering your Lands. The Site Plan and Allocation note are not enough to grantee your security on the land.
      Kind Regards

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