The Land Act, 2020: what buyers and landowners need to know

The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) consolidated and replaced several older land laws, including the Conveyancing Act, 1973 and the Land Title Registration Law, 1986. For most people the practical effect is that the rules on acquiring, transferring and registering land now sit in one place.

Transactions must be in writing and registered

A transfer of an interest in land should be in writing and signed, and the instrument should be registered with the Lands Commission. An unregistered instrument can leave a buyer exposed if the same land is sold to someone else.

Leases to non-citizens

A person who is not a citizen of Ghana cannot hold a freehold interest. Leases to non-citizens are capped at 50 years at a time, and may be renewed.

Stool, skin and family land

The Act recognises customary land holding and requires those who manage stool, skin and family land to account for it. Buyers still need to confirm that the person selling has authority to do so.

Land guards and fraud

Using land guards, and selling the same land to more than one person, are criminal offences under the Act.

Sources

1. Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)
2. Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, article 266 (non-citizens and land)
3. Lands Commission
4. GhaLII, Ghana Legal Information Institute (texts of Ghanaian statutes and judgments)

This article is general information about Ghanaian law, not legal advice. Speak to a lawyer about your own situation.