The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has highlighted the Ghanaian government’s commitment to building an efficient and sustainable land administration system to combat climate change.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2024 International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the government’s policies integrate climate action into land administration strategies.

Under the theme “Your World, Our World: Resilient Environment and Sustainable Resource Management for All,” Hon. Jinapor detailed several measures executed by the government to enhance land administration.

“Over the past few years, under the able and outstanding leadership of President Akufo-Addo, we have taken bold steps to promote an efficient and effective land administration that takes into consideration the competing needs for land by the various sectors of our economy.”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

Significant initiatives include the enactment of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which consolidates and revises existing land laws. The government has also organized key events such as the Land Symposium in 2021 and the National Land Conference in 2022 to support the new legislation and empower land sector stakeholders.

The Minister also highlighted the Urban Redevelopment Scheme and the National Geospatial Policy as pivotal policies enhancing land use and benefiting Ghanaians.

“The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry, is also implementing an Urban Redevelopment Scheme, through which several prime lands in our urban areas are being redeveloped to ensure judicious use of land, and contribute to building sustainable cities and communities, in accordance with Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

Hon. Jinapor further stressed the urgency of integrating climate action into professional practices, citing rising global temperatures and the critical need to protect the planet.

“Madam President, incorporating climate action into our professional practices is the sine qua non to achieving our collective goals. Since July last year, we have increasingly recorded a rise in global temperature every single month, with March 2023 being the hottest month ever recorded in history. Unfortunately, we have only one Earth.”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

Hon. Jinapor reiterated the importance of the conference’s theme, underscoring the urgent need to safeguard the environment. Quoting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, he noted, “The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win.”

The four-day conference, which gathered surveyors and industry players worldwide, aimed to improve and promote standards in sustainable resource management. The outcomes are expected to serve as a blueprint for future initiatives, with Ghana committed to supporting the FIG’s vision.

During the event, delegates elected new executives for the upcoming year, with Greece and China winning the positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Australia was chosen to host the 2025 FIG Working Week.

The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week 2024 offered a wealth of insights and recommendations that could be applied to other countries facing similar challenges in land administration and climate action.

The session on mapping the surveying profession’s climate impact potential emphasized the need to understand the most pressing climate issues affecting different geographical regions. This involves assessing the knowledge and expertise available within the surveying profession to address these challenges and identifying gaps that need to be filled.

There was a also call for surveyors to actively engage in climate action, leveraging their unique position to influence and drive solutions. This includes elevating the voices of marginalized groups and young surveyors to ensure equitable participation in addressing climate change.

The Minister’s address highlighted Ghana’s proactive steps in land administration reform and the integration of climate considerations, showcasing the country’s leadership in sustainable development efforts on the global stage.