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He noted that some investors did not follow the formal procedure to acquire the land and that this often created conflicts between investors and residents of the host communities.
Customary lands are those that belong to indigenous communities and are administered in accordance with their customs, as opposed to legal tenure.
The Land Commission's guidelines for the acquisition of 50 acres of customary land (approximately 20.23 hectares) require investors to meet certain Board requirements and to hold appropriate consultations with the host community.
Forum
The head of the Land Commission said this in the series "Meet the Government", an annual forum organized by the German-Ghana Economic Association (GGEA), which tackled the main economic issues and challenges of the world of business.
This year's forum focused on the role of the Land Management Board in securing land deals without problems and maintaining a healthy business environment.
He also discussed the future tax exemption regime under the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC).
Participants discussed ways to remove barriers to investment in the country to promote investments in government programs such as the Single District, a Factory (1D1F) and Plantation for Food and Employment ( PFJ).
Due diligence
Alhaji Mahama reiterated that the Land Management Commission was about to strictly enforce the guidelines for the acquisition of customary land in order to ensure that conflicts resulting from such acquisitions were reduced to minimum.
"There is even a provision stating that if the land is 10 acres in size, but the land acquisition results in violations of social, economic, environmental or human rights, the guidelines should apply at that level.
Over the past decade, vast tracts of land have been acquired for investment purposes, but in the end these investments never came.
"We are committed to creating a regime in which landowners and customary investors will benefit from a win-win situation. We therefore want the procedures that are followed to be respected. but that should not stop investment, "he said.
Alhaji Mahama said the commission applies strict control regimes to investors to ensure that proper procedures are followed for the acquisition of large tracts of land.
"We require certain requirements such as registration and business start-up certificates, a feasibility study report, an environmental impact badessment report, economic viability and a proven track record of investor in the company.
We do this to prevent people from acquiring large tracts of land that are not used significantly, "he explained.
GIPC exemptions
Ms. Evelyn Nyarko, GIPC Assistant Director of Investor Services, said the center was non-discriminatory in its incentive scheme for local and foreign investors.
She explained that the removal of import duties and value-added tax (VAT) on the port's equipment and machinery was intended to create an investor-friendly environment for them to venture into key sectors of the economy.
Regarding the future tax exemptions under the GIPC law, she said that although the Ministry of Finance sent a bill to Parliament to revise certain provisions of the law, the GIPC was confident that this review would not affect its work.
"From the point of view of the GIPC, it will not affect us because all our exemptions already go through Parliament," she said.
Tema MCE
The Municipal Executive Director of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Mr. Felix Nii Anang-La, also present, said that the badembly was preparing a development plan aimed at transforming the industrial enclave from Tema into an attraction center for investors.
He revealed that the badembly was in the process of partnering with a private investor to reorganize the deteriorating hotel, the Meridian.
Context
The German-German Economic Association (GGEA) was created in 1999.
It is an alliance of Ghanaian and German companies, entrepreneurs and institutions with commercial interests in both countries, West Africa or Europe.
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