By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, Nov. 27, GNA-Legal and survey experts have urged Ghanaians to engage licensed professionals before making any land purchases and payments to avoid fraud, disputes, and costly future litigation.
Mr Andrews Dodzi Adugu, Volta/Oti Secretary of the Ghana Bar Association, and Mr Shadrack Dafeamekpor of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, gave the advice during a discussion on proper land purchase and acquisition procedures in Ghana.
The speakers stressed that no individual should make payments for land without first consulting a licensed surveyor and a qualified lawyer.
“A genuine surveyor must provide a verifiable licence number because each professional has a unique identification,” Mr Dafeamekpor said.
He explained that the surveyor’s role includes identifying and marking exact land boundaries to prevent disputes, preparing the cadastral plan required for registration, and checking with the Lands Commission to confirm that the parcel does not overlap with any other property.
After completing the assessments, the surveyor issues a report indicating whether the land has complications such as encroaching road reservations, conflicting with state projects, or being associated with disputes. If the land is clear, the buyer may proceed to prepare the indenture.
Mr Adugu emphasised that preparing an indenture was the responsibility of a lawyer, not a surveyor, saying, “Any person who prepares land documents without a lawyer’s supervision risks arrest.”
He noted that noting that lawyers verified ownership through title searches, reviewed all documents, and ensured authenticity and legal compliance.
He added that lawyers also oversee payments, witness the signing of agreements, and assist in registering the land at the Lands Commission — critical steps that protect buyers from fraud and future conflicts.
Both experts gave a strong caution: “Never pay for land without involving a licensed surveyor and a lawyer,” stressing that the two professionals play indispensable roles in safeguarding buyers and ensuring legally sound transactions.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei