News
National House of Chiefs rejects CRC recommendations to merge Office of the Land Administrator with Lands Commission
The National House of Chiefs has rejected the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) recommendation to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission.
The House said it maintains that the OASL, which currently operates as a separate and independent constitutional body should remain as such under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
In a statement issued in Accra and copied The Ghaianan Times, the House explained that the creation of OASL as an independent constitutional body was the request by the member Chiefs on the Consultative Assembly prior to the passage of the 1992 Constitution because of the poor management and handling of stool land revenue under the then Lands Commission.
The House stated that the OASL was created to manage stool land revenue efficiently; to generate income from sources such as rent, royalties, and concessions. The office was created to collect and manage this revenue efficiently.
Others include promoting transparency and accountability.
It said before the creation of OASL, the handling of stool land revenue was often uncoordinated and lacked proper accountability.
However, it noted that the office has since helped to ensure proper record-keeping and transparency.
The House emphasised that the OASL was established under Article 267 (2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and of the firm belief that the recommendations from the CRC will not inure to the benefit of the chieftaincy institution.
The house said it reasons were that the OASL was created for Chiefs and since its establishment, the Office has discharged its functions creditably.
It said chiefs had always wanted their funds managed separately for the benefit of both traditional authorities and local development.
It explained that the recommendations of CRC defeats the purpose for the establishment of OASL as a distinct agency with the sole focus on supporting and assisting Stool and Skin lands administration.
Thus, it said, the OASL was not created merely for revenue collection but to help in the management of stool lands as captured in memorandum to the 1992 Constitution and contained at article 267 (7) & (8);l.
It said the proposed merger will relegate issues of stool and skin lands to the background.
That the OASL helps with the establishment of Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs), and provides land administration advisory services to the chiefs.
Furthermor National House of Chief said it observed that Lands Commission is currently bedevilled with numerous court litigations with a tall list of garnishee orders on their bank accounts which will put stool land revenue at risk.
That Chiefs are skeptical about mixing stool land management with state land management.
Therefore, merging the OASL with the Lands Commission will increase the bureaucratic processes needed for beneficiaries to access funds.
It said the assumption that the OASL and Lands Commission need to merge to make them efficient because the two agencies are operating in silos is not tenable, because the Section 14 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) article 267(7)(8) of the Constitution and section 7(1)(2) of the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act,767) requires the Lands Commission and the OASL to collaborate on customary land administration.
Again, the House found that, Lands Commission has not been able to properly manage state and vested lands under their care and observed how state land management by the Lands Commission has generated a lot of controversies in the recent years, which is just about 15 to 20% of the total land area of Ghana.
In addition, it observed t Lands Commission is not able to manage the 2% of vested lands under its care properly.
It said it takes a long time for Lands Commission to release ground rent from vested lands to the OASL for disbursement to the stools and there are no proper records on vested lands revenue.
The House said it also observed that the merger of the four land sector agencies in 2008 under the new Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767) has not yielded expected results in the management of public lands, registration and land surveying in the country.
The merger of these four land sector agencies has rather worsened challenges that led to the merger. The House observed that, before the merger of the four divisions, then Land Valuation Board was operational in many districts across the country bringing services close to their clients, but the district offices have since closed.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has temporarily suspended three pharmacies from providing services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over suspected irregularities in claims and service transactions.
The affected pharmacies are Deldem Pharma Limited, Paramedica Pharmacy and Desh Chemist.
According to a public notice issued by the NHIA on May 14, the suspension took immediate effect.
The Authority explained that a routine claims verification exercise uncovered what it described as “material irregularities” linked to claims and service transactions involving the three facilities.
It stated that the findings raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse under the NHIS Provider Service Agreement.
As part of the suspension, the pharmacies are not allowed to provide healthcare services or dispense medicines under the NHIS until further notice.
The NHIA advised NHIS members who need pharmaceutical services to seek care from other accredited providers across the country.
In the statement signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Victor Asare Bampoe, the Authority warned all credentialed healthcare providers against engaging in fraudulent practices that could threaten the sustainability of the scheme.
It stressed that healthcare providers who defraud or attempt to defraud the NHIS commit an offence punishable by a fine, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both upon conviction.
The NHIA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the proper use of public funds in delivering quality healthcare services to Ghanaians.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Black Starlets were left frustrated after surrendering a commanding two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Algeria in their opening Group D match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The Black Starlets made a dream start to the encounter, taking the lead just two minutes after kickoff through Yao Gavi Robinho.
The youngster reacted quickest in the area to put Ghana ahead and set the tone for what looked to be a dominant evening for Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side.
Eight minutes later, Eric Adu Gyamfi produced a moment of pure brilliance that instantly lit up the tournament.
Spotting the Algerian goalkeeper off his line, the midfielder unleashed an audacious long-range volley from the center area that sailed beautifully into the net to double Ghana’s advantage in spectacular fashion.
With confidence flowing through the team, the Black Starlets continued to create numerous opportunities and should have extended their lead before halftime. However, wastefulness in front of goal kept Algeria alive in the contest despite Ghana’s dominance in the opening half.
The second half, however, told a completely different story as Algeria returned with renewed energy and intensity. The North Africans pushed forward relentlessly and gradually turned the game around with two goals before the 70th minute to draw level against a stunned Ghanaian side.
Algeria were later handed a golden opportunity to complete the comeback after being awarded a penalty, but the effort was blasted wide.
The result leaves South Africa at the top of Group D following their victory over Senegal in the other group fixture.
The Starlets will now shift attention to their crucial second group game against Senegal on May 17 as they aim to bounce back and revive their campaign.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
[13:37, 15/05/2026] Edem: Ghana concludes IMF bailout programme, shifts to policy coordination instrument
The Government of Ghana has announced the successful completion of its Extended Credit Facility bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking what it describes as the end of the country’s financial bailout relationship with the Fund.
In a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Office on Friday, government explained that the country would now transition to a non financing Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) arrangement with the IMF.
According to the statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson to President John Dramani Mahama and Minister for Government Communications, the conclusion of the programme reflects the restoration of macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability ahead of schedule.
The statement noted that after the IMF programme was derailed at the end of 2024, the Mahama administration introduced strict fiscal measures, expenditure controls and structural reforms in 2025 to bring the programme back on track.
Government indicated that the measures have led to a significant reduction in inflation, a stronger cedi, lower public debt levels and improved economic growth.
It stated that Ghana’s sovereign credit ratings had improved from restricted default status to a “B” rating with a positive outlook, representing what it described as five levels of upgrades.
According to the statement, Ghana’s gross international reserves rose to about 14.5 billion dollars by February 2026, providing nearly six months of import cover.
Government explained that the reserves would help the country withstand external economic shocks and strengthen economic stability.
The statement further clarified that the new Policy Coordination Instrument with the IMF would not involve financial support or bailout funds.
Instead, it said the PCI would provide technical assistance, support economic reforms, boost investor confidence and help Ghana attract financing from private investors and development partners.
Government believes the arrangement will support efforts to achieve investment grade status, which it says could reduce borrowing costs, attract long term investors and create cheaper financing opportunities for infrastructure and private sector growth.
The Presidency also expressed appreciation to Ghanaians for their sacrifices and patience during the programme period.
It further thanked bilateral creditors, the Official Creditor Committee and both domestic and external investors for their support throughout the process.
Government reaffirmed its commitment to prudent economic management, fiscal discipline and creating a favourable environment for investment and job creation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
