Lands Commission Calls for Increase in Licensed Surveyors to Boost Ghana's Land Administration

Naa Seidu Zakari Abu, the acting Director of the Survey and Mapping Division at the Lands Commission, has issued an urgent call for an increase in the number of licensed surveyors across Ghana. Speaking at the commencement of a mandatory two-week refresher course for aspiring professionals, Abu highlighted a significant deficit in the current workforce, which stands at approximately 400 licensed surveyors. He emphasized that this figure is woefully inadequate to meet the nation's growing land management needs and that a robust pool of experts is essential for efficient land administration and national development.

To achieve effective operations across the country, the Lands Commission envisions a decentralized presence of surveying expertise. Abu proposed that, ideally, every Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) should be staffed with at least four licensed surveyors. This strategic distribution is intended to streamline land processes at the local level, ensuring that surveying services are both accessible and professional. The current shortage often leads to delays in land documentation and contributes to broader administrative bottlenecks that the Commission is keen to resolve through targeted recruitment and rigorous certification processes.

The ongoing refresher course serves as a critical gateway for potential surveyors to demonstrate their technical competencies and adherence to ethical standards. Conducted in accordance with relevant legislation, the training aims to ensure that new practitioners are well-versed in modern surveying techniques and the legal frameworks governing land in Ghana. Emmanuel Adansi Bonah, the Deputy Executive Secretary, supported the initiative, stressing that such programs are vital for maintaining professional standards and ensuring that land management is conducted with the highest degree of integrity.

Ultimately, the push for more licensed surveyors is designed to address systemic development challenges, including land-related disputes and insecure property rights. By bolstering the ranks of qualified professionals, the Lands Commission aims to provide the technical data necessary for informed governance and infrastructure planning. As the refresher course progresses, the Commission remains committed to building a professional cadre that can support Ghana's long-term socioeconomic objectives through accurate, transparent, and efficient land administration.