Gov’t rolls out 70% upfront payment policy for Public Land leases

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, has announced a new framework for leasing public lands in Ghana aimed at enhancing transparency, increasing government revenue, and improving the management of state-owned land resources.

The new policy introduces a revised premium payment structure that requires individuals and organisations seeking to acquire public land to make a substantial upfront payment before access to the land is granted.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, March 11, the Deputy Minister explained that under the new arrangement, prospective lessees will be required to pay at least 70 percent of the assessed market value of the public land as an upfront premium.

He added that the remaining 30 percent of the payment will not be demanded immediately but will instead be spread across the duration of the lease as ground rent.

According to Mr. Sulemana, the reform was developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission as part of broader efforts to strengthen land administration and ensure that the country derives maximum value from its public land assets.

“The Ministry, in collaboration with the Lands Commission, has introduced a new premium framework for public land leases. Under this framework, a minimum of 70 percent of the assessed market value of public land will be paid upfront as a premium, while the remaining 30 percent will be structured over the tenure of the lease as ground rent,” he explained.

He noted that the reform is intended to promote value for money, boost revenue generation for the state, and ensure that public lands are allocated in a manner that supports Ghana’s broader economic development objectives.