The members were taken through the oaths of secrecy, allegiance and office by the Supervising High Court Judge in the Volta Region, Justice John Ekow Mensah.

The Volta Regional Coordinating Director, Augustus Awity, entreated the members to work in the spirit of transparency, saying there would be greater development progress in the region without land disputes.

He said the inter-sectoral nature of the commission represented various interests and groups, which made it competent for the task of addressing all land issues in the region.

Mr Awity said land was a source of livelihood, identity and investment, the foundation upon which homes were built and the base on which food was grown, attracting investments and driving national infrastructure.

He paid glowing tribute to the traditional rulers, whose stewardship in land matters, he said, remained crucial.

“We look forward to deeper collaboration between state institutions and customary authorities, as we work towards a more unified and transparent administrative system,” he added.

The new board chairman of the commission, Mr Fiakpui-Dzahini, pledged the newly constituted board’s firm stance to uphold the highest standard of professionalism in the execution of its mandate to oversee land administration in the region.  

“We acknowledge the magnitude of the task ahead but we are ready to deliver through stakeholder engagement and collaboration,” the chairman added.

Further, he said the board would take appropriate steps to ensure that land management supports agriculture and preserves the cultural heritage of the people, housing and infrastructural development.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, who graced the occasion, re-affirmed the government’s stance to retrieve all public lands sold to political appointees and other individuals without due process.

That, he maintained, was to ensure future generations became inheritors and not just survivors.

The Members of the commission are Detsikey Hope Kwasi, Ketu North; Dr David Yao Esinu Normanyo, Anloga; Jacob Kwabla Nyasogbor, Akatsi South; Patrick Kwame Ahianu, Akatsi North; Godwin Kudadze, Kpando Municipal, and Togbe Agbobada IV, Adaklu.

Others are Mama Bobi III, Ho Municipality; Wonder Japheth Sallah, Keta; Jonas Kodjo Anyadi, South Dayi; Gideon Gogah, North Dayi; Mensah Kwaku Kudze, South Tongu, and Moses Awukuvi Danyevor, Central Tongu.

The rest are Charles Gbagbo, Ho West; Michael Komla Adzaho; Agotime Ziope; Daniel Jerry Sorokpo, Ketu South; Peter Afenyo, Afadzato South, and Gabriel Agbesi, Hohoe Municipal.

Those representing institutions are Helen Adjavon, Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen; Shadrack Yao Dafeamekpor, Ghana Institutions of Surveyors; Emmanuel M. Osae, Regional House of Chiefs, and Benjamin Mensah, Land Use Spatial Planning Authority.

The Regional Lands Officer, Mark Enamevo Gudu, is secretary to the board.