The Lands Commission has officially awarded licenses to 50 private surveyors. The ceremony, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to streamline land management, enhance precision in surveying, and reduce land disputes.
Speaking at the event, Surveyor Alhaji Hanan, Deputy Director of Operations at the Survey and Mapping Division (SMD) of the Lands Commission, highlighted the rigorous process that the new licensees had undergone.
According to him, the journey to licensure started five months ago with a nationwide advertisement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission. The response was robust, with experienced candidates coming forward to undergo the Commission’s stringent vetting procedures.
“The process was not easy. Each candidate had to meet strict eligibility criteria, including a minimum of five years of experience in land surveying and recommendations from seasoned professionals.
“Following a series of challenging examinations, interviews, and assessments, 70% of the applicants succeeded and earned their licenses today.”
Surveyor Alhaji Hanan, Deputy Director of Operations at the Survey and Mapping Division (SMD)
The Chairman of the National Lands Commission, Lawyer Alex Quaynor, who chaired the ceremony, took the opportunity to remind the audience of the critical role surveyors play in national development.
Mr. Quaynor highlighted how surveyors have historically been pivotal in laying the groundwork for major infrastructure projects, both in Ghana and across Africa.
“Surveyors laid the foundation for the development of railways, roads, hospitals, and schools by providing precise understanding of the land,” Mr. Quaynor said.
Mr. Quaynor emphasized the need for ongoing investment in modern surveying tools and technology to ensure that infrastructure projects can continue to thrive.
Mr. Quaynor’s comments underscored the important link between land surveying and the country’s broader economic development. Proper land surveying not only helps in the planning and execution of large-scale infrastructure but also reduces the risk of land disputes—an issue that has long plagued many parts of the country.
Commitment to Excellence and Integrity
Director of the Survey and Mapping Division, Surv. Abudulai Abukari (Tibung Lana), in his welcome address, congratulated the newly licensed surveyors.
“Your licenses represent more than permission—they symbolize your responsibility to shape our collective future through ethical standards, collaboration, and innovation,” Surv. Abukari noted.
He called upon the surveyors to act with integrity, ensuring that their work adheres to the strict standards set by the Lands Commission.
Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Surv. Benjamin Arthur, echoed similar sentiments in his speech, stressing the importance of accuracy and reliability in the surveying profession.
He lauded the Lands Commission’s ongoing efforts to modernize its operations by adopting new technologies and systems designed to improve land administration in Ghana.
“Our goal is to build a precise and reliable database of landed properties, and this can only be achieved through accurate surveying,” Surv. Arthur said. He urged the new surveyors to be ambassadors of their profession, committed to upholding the highest standards of accuracy in their work.
Surveyor Jones Ofori-Boadu, Deputy Executive Secretary in charge of Corporate Services, also used the occasion to highlight the broader national projects that would benefit from enhanced land surveying practices.
“This is a big project, and it requires the active participation of surveyors,” Ofori-Boadu said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among surveyors in tackling national-level initiatives. He encouraged the newly licensed professionals to form consortiums and deepen partnerships to increase their collective impact.
Surv. Ofori-Boadu closed the ceremony with a call to action, reminding the new license holders of their guiding motto: speed, accuracy, and integrity. “These are the pillars on which your success will rest,” he said, encouraging them to always be mindful of their responsibility to the public and the country at large.
This licensing program signals the Lands Commission’s continued commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s land administration systems are effective, transparent, and in line with international standards.
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