The 7 Steps To Land Registration In Ghana

Ever wondered how you can register land in Ghana? Then you've come to the right place. Before we do anything else, let me remind you why investing in land is one of the best investments you can embark on. Unlike most other things, land is an investment that appreciates in value over time. Since land has an indefinite useful life, you'll never lose money when you own it or resell it. Doesn't that sound like a win-win scenario?

Buying a land comes with registering the land, which is a must and highly recommended in Ghana, to avoid future litigation. There are just a few things you need to do to register a land in Ghana..

Seven (7) Steps to Complete Land Registration in Ghana

Step 1: Thorough Background Check.

Undoubtedly, this is the most crucial step. If you're planning on becoming a land owner, it's important to familiarize yourself with your space and verify that it is for sale. You should consider hiring a land lawyer to assist with your background research and consult governmental land overseers to ensure the land has not been marked for any developmental projects. Tema Development Corporation (TDC) is an example of such an organization. Information such as the suitability of the land (Is it a waterlogged area?) as well determines the decision to buy or not to buy.

Step 2: Acquisition and Negotiation.

Next step to bag your land is to negotiate with the actual owner on the sale of the land. Piece of advice, avoid using a middleman. ‘Them gees be sketchy.’ Once the checks have indicated the availability and suitability of the land, it is advisable to identify the real man behind the camera to proceed with the purchase.

Step 3: Document Endorsement

Once the agreement is reached, a land lawyer will be required to endorse three copies of the agreement with a practice stamp. Each copy of the agreement must have the site plan with two additional copies of the site plan. The owner and new buyer will then need to sign and endorse the back of the plan as a licensed surveyor and the regional surveyor certify by stamping with accurate dates.

Step 4: Witnesses

To avoid future ownership challenges, it is required that at least two qualified parties, one from the seller and one from the buyer be present to sign as witnesses. These parties include their full names, addresses, and original signature as they testify to the proceedings.

Step 5: Land Commission

When the Land Commission gets involved you’re sure you’re almost through with claiming your plot. In this step, all you need to do is hand in endorsed documents to the Ghana Lands Commission together with a processing fee for processing and registration of the land. Once processing is complete, the Ghana Land Valuation Board stamps and certifies registration.

Step 6: Internal Revenue Authority (IRS)

All processed documents from the Land Valuation Board are released to the IRS for tax clearing. After tax clearing, the buyer is awarded a tax clearance certificate which is submitted to the land commission for final registration at the deeds registry.

Step 7: Original Copy

The buyer is finally handed an original copy of the land title document from the deed registry. Make sure you receive this original document before the process comes to a full closure.

Upon following each step precisely, you should be able to obtain a land title deed without any “Wahala”! Works like magic but sequential magic. Do not be a victim of land fraud or battling land litigation or worse losing a land you purchased with your hard earned money. Conduct your due diligence and enjoy a hassle-free investment in real estate.