In a bid to tackle the longstanding issue of land disputes in Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced an ambitious plan to provide free land registration for chiefs. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at modernizing the land tenure system through digitization, which he believes will enhance efficiency and transparency in land ownership.

Dr. Bawumia outlined these plans during a meeting with the clergy in the Greater Accra Region, emphasizing the need to address the prohibitive costs associated with land registration. He noted that the high fees have often prevented chiefs from formalizing their land ownership, leading to numerous disputes over land boundaries and ownership claims.

"Land ownership disputes are a significant issue in Ghana, largely because many stool lands remain unregistered," Dr. Bawumia explained. "I've discovered that the cost of registration is a major barrier for many chiefs. Therefore, we are going to offer free registration for all chiefs to resolve this issue."

Drawing inspiration from advanced countries where land ownership details are accessible online, Dr. Bawumia stressed the importance of digitizing Ghana's land records. "In many parts of the world, you can simply check land ownership on your mobile phone without needing to visit a land registry. We plan to adopt a similar approach here in Ghana," he said.

By digitizing and mapping land records, Dr. Bawumia believes that many of the disputes stemming from unclear ownership will be significantly reduced. This digital transformation is expected to make land ownership information more accessible and transparent, thereby building trust in the system.

Additionally, Dr. Bawumia addressed the National Cathedral project, urging the church to lead efforts in securing private sector funding to support its completion. "The National Cathedral is a vital project for Ghana. I've contributed personally to it, and I believe it is crucial for the church and government to collaborate on finding sustainable ways to move forward," he added.

This initiative, part of Dr. Bawumia's broader strategy for land reform, aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and dispute-free land tenure system in Ghana, thereby fostering greater confidence and investment in land ownership across the country.