Ghana's House of Chiefs Rejects Merger Proposal, Citing Need for Independent Stool Land Management

The National House of Chiefs has firmly stood its ground against recommendations to merge the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) with the Lands Commission. This decision underscores a deep-seated commitment to preserving the autonomy of institutions that manage traditional lands and their revenues, a matter of critical importance to the fabric of Ghanaian society and governance.

At the heart of the chiefs' objection is the principle of independent management of stool land revenues. They contend that the OASL was established precisely to address historical concerns about poor accountability and mismanagement of these funds under previous structures. The chiefs' insistence on a separate entity reflects a long-standing desire to ensure that revenues generated from stool lands are managed transparently and effectively for the benefit of traditional authorities and, crucially, for local development initiatives within their communities.

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Chiefs had always wanted their funds managed separately for the benefit of both traditional authorities and local development

The House has articulated several significant concerns regarding the proposed merger. A primary worry is the potential exposure of stool land revenues to financial risks, given the existing challenges, including court cases and garnishee orders, that reportedly affect the Lands Commission's accounts. Furthermore, the chiefs emphasize the fundamental differences between the administration of customary lands and state lands, arguing that combining these distinct systems could lead to inefficiencies and administrative bottlenecks, echoing past reform efforts that failed to yield expected results.

Rather than a merger, the National House of Chiefs advocates for strengthening the OASL. They are calling on the government to enhance the office's capacity through improved staffing and financial clearance. This position highlights a proactive approach, seeking to bolster existing structures that are deemed essential for safeguarding traditional land resources and ensuring their contribution to national and local progress, a perspective often overlooked in broader discussions about land reform.

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the OASL was not created solely as a revenue collection body but also to support the administration and management of stool and skin lands in line with Articles 267(7) and 267(8) of the 1992 Constitution