Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Roads Ministry to Improve Project Compensation

The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and the Ministry of Roads and Highways have agreed to work together to enhance the assessment and payment of compensation for properties affected by road construction. This partnership follows a meeting where the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, raised concerns about existing compensation claims.

The GhIS highlighted several systemic challenges that hinder the process. These include delays in land acquisition, insufficient engagement with stakeholders, inconsistencies in how compensation is assessed and documented, and significant delays in paying affected individuals. The institution also noted that the statutory procedures for compulsory acquisition and compensation have not always been applied uniformly, contributing to these problems.

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The GhIS said the meeting drew attention to systemic challenges affecting the process, including delays in acquisition procedures, inadequate stakeholder engagement, inconsistencies in assessment and documentation, and prolonged delays in paying compensation to affected persons.

To tackle these issues, the GhIS and the ministry will engage in a structured technical process. This will involve reviewing the entire compensation procedure, improving the exchange of valuation information, strengthening stakeholder consultations, and ensuring compliance with the 1992 Constitution, the Land Act of 2020, and professional valuation standards. The GhIS emphasized that a transparent and consistent compensation process is vital for protecting the rights of those impacted by public infrastructure projects while also ensuring value for money for the state.

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A transparent, consistent and professionally grounded compensation process was essential to protecting the rights of persons whose properties were affected by public infrastructure projects, while also safeguarding value for money for the state.