Government of Ghana

Right to Information Manual

LANDS COMMISSION (LC)

2021

Document Number: LC/RTI/2021/001

RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of
Contents…………………………………………………………………………………..........i
1. Overview ................................................................................................................... 1
2. Directorates and Departments under LANDS COMMISSION (LC) ....................... 2
2.1 Description of Activities of each Directorate and Department ........................... 4
2.2 Land Commission’s Organogram...................................................................... 1
2.3 Classes and Types of information ................................................................... 1
3. Processing and Decision on Application – S. 23 .................................................. 2
4. Amendment of Personal Record ............................................................................ 3
4.1 How to apply for an Amendment ....................................................................... 3
5. Fees and Charges for Access to Information ........................................................ 4
6. Appendix A: Standard RTI Request Form ............................................................. 5
7. Appendix B: Contact Details of LAND COMMISSION’s Information Unit ........... 8
8. Appendix C: Acronyms ........................................................................................... 9
9. Appendix D: Glossary ........................................................................................... 10

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Overview

1. Overview
This Right to Information (RTI) Manual is pursuant to the provisions of the recently
passed Act, (Act 989) by Parliament and assented to by the President, Nana Addo
Dankwa Akuffo-Addo. The Act gives substance to the constitutional right to information
provided under Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution, enabling citizens access to official
information held by government institutions, and the qualifications and conditions under
which the access may be obtained. In accordance with Section 80, the Act applies to
information which came into existence before, or which will come into existence after
the commencement of the Act.

1.1 Purpose of Manual – To inform/assist the public on the organizational structure,

responsibilities and activities of the LANDS COMMISSION(LC) and provide the
types of information and classes of information available at LC, including the
location and contact details of its information officers and units.
.

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

2. DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

This section describes the institution’s vision and mission and lists the names of all
Directorates and Departments under the institution, including the description of
organizational structure, responsibilities, details of activities and classes and types of
information accessible at a fee.
VISION
To become a center of excellence for land service delivery.

MISSION
To provide high quality, reliable and efficient service in geographic information,
guaranteed tenure, property valuation, survey and mapping through teamwork and
modern technology to our stakeholders.

Divisions under LANDS COMMISSION(LC)

1. Survey and Mapping

2. Land Registration
3. Land valuation
4. Public and Vested Lands Management

Responsibilities of the Institution:

The objectives of the Commission are to:
(a) promote the judicious use of land by the society and ensure that land use is in
accordance with sustainable management principles and the maintenance of a sound
eco-system; and

(b) ensure that land development is effected in conformity with the nation’s
development goals.

For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the Commission shall

(a) on behalf of the Government, manage public lands and any other
lands vested in the President by the Constitution or by any other law and
any lands vested in the Commission;
(b) advise the Government, local authorities and traditional authorities
on the policy framework for the development of particular areas of the

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

country to ensure that the development of individual pieces of land is

coordinated with the relevant development plan for the area concerned;
(c) formulate and submit to Government recommendations on national
policy with respect to land use suitability or capability;
(d) advise on, and assist in the execution of, a comprehensive
programme for the registration of title to land as well as registration of
deeds and instruments affecting land throughout the country;
(e) facilitate the acquisition of land on behalf of Government;
(f) establish standards for and regulate survey and mapping of the
country and provide survey and mapping services where necessary;
(h) license practitioners of cadastral survey;
(i) undertake land and land related valuation services;
(j) ensure that socio-economic activities are consistent with sound
land use through sustainable land use planning in the long term national
interest;
3
(l) instill order and discipline into the land market through curbing the
incidence of land encroachment, unapproved development schemes,
multiple or illegal land sales, land speculation and other forms of land
racketeering;
(o) minimize or eliminate, where possible, the sources of protracted
land boundary disputes, conflicts and litigations in order to bring their
associated economic costs and socio-political upheavals under control;
(p) promote community participation and public awareness at all levels in
sustainable land management and development practices to ensure the
highest and best use of land;
(q) promote research into all aspects of land ownership, tenure and the
operations of the land market and the land development process;
(r) impose and collect levies, fees, charges for services rendered;
(s) establish and maintain a comprehensive land information system, and
(t) perform other functions the Minister may assign to it

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

2.1 Description of Activities of each Directorate and Department

Directorate/Department Responsibilities/Activities

Survey and Mapping Division a) supervise, regulate and control the survey and
demarcation of land for the purposes of land use
and land registration;
(b) take custody of and preserve records and
operations relating to the survey of any parcel of
land;
(c) direct and supervise the conduct of
trigonometric, hydrographic and topographical
surveys;
(d) coordinate the preparation of plans from the
data derived from survey and any amendment of
the plans;
(e) coordinate the production of photogrammetric
surveys (aerial photography, orthophoto mapping,
etc);
(f) survey, map and maintain the national territorial
boundaries including maritime boundaries;
(g) develop and maintain the national geodetic
reference network for the country;
(h) supervise, regulate, control and certify the
production of maps; and
(i) other functions determined by the Commission.

Land Registration Division (a) publication of notices of registration upon

receipt of an application
for registration;
(b) registration of title to land and other interests in
land;
(c) registration of deeds and other instruments
affecting land in areas
outside compulsory title registration districts;
(d) maintaining land registers that contains
records of land and other

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

interests in land.
(e) other functions determined by the
Commission.

Land Valuation Division a) assessing the compensation payable upon

acquisition of land by
the Government;
(b) assessment of stamp duty;
(c) determining the values of properties rented,
purchased, sold or
leased by or to Government;
(d) preparation and maintenance of valuation list
for rating purposes;
(e) valuation of interests in land or land related
interests for the general
public at a fee;
(f) valuation of interests in land for the
administration of estate duty;
and
(g) other functions determined by the Commission

Public and Vested Lands (a) facilitating the acquisition of land for
Management Division Government;
(b) managing state acquired and vested lands in
conformity with
approved land use plans; and
(c) other functions determined by the Commission.

Administration Division (a) Overseeing day to day operations

(b) Develop organizational policies
(c) Disburse funds to managers
(d) Managing administrative Budget
(e) Monitoring operating expenses
(f) Liaising with HR and other departments

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

(g) Updating executives on business

performance

Human Resource Management (a) Develop and implement human resource

Division policies
(b) Support strategic objectives
(c) Hiring staff and negotiating employment
engagements
(d) Ensuring compliance with laws and
regulations
(e) Managing staff wellness and performance
reviews
(f) Motivating and supporting current staff
(g) Maintaining staff records
(h) Handling employee’s benefits
(i) Identifying the needs of staff and creating
workable job descriptions
(j) Designing and organizing training programs
for staff

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

2.2 Lands Commission’s Organogram

Below is the Organogram for Lands Commission.

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

LANDS COMMISSION
(THE BOARD)

INTERNAL AUDIT
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
LEGAL AFFAIRS

DEPUTY EXECUTUVE SECRETARY DEPUTY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

(TECHNICAL) (GENERAL SERVICES)

REGIONAL
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR
OFFICE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR,
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR,
RESEARCH, PUBLIC FINANCE
LAND SURVEY LAND
ADMINISTRATION HUMAN DIVISION
MONITORING AND VALUATION REGISTRATION RESOURCE
AND VESTED AND DIVISION
DIVISION DIVISION MG’T
EVALUATION LANDS MAPPING
DIVISION
DISTRICT MG’T DIVISION
OFFICE DIVISION
RESEARCH,
MONITORING • GENERAL
AND GENERAL SURVEY TITLE
PUBLIC VALUATION ADMINISTRATION
EVALUATION LANDS REGISTRATION
• PUBLIC AFFAIRS

LAND • PROCUREMENT
INFORMATION VESTED MAPPING
• INFORMATION
SYSTEMS LANDS
RATING DEEDS TECHNOLOGY
VALUATION REGISTRATION
• RECORDS
ACQUISITION REGULATION MANAGEMENT
• LITHOGRAPHY
COMPENSATION
• TRANSPORT
VALUATION
• SECURITY AND
INTELLIGENCE
• FACILITY
MANAGEMENT

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF A REGIONAL OFFICE

REGIONAL DIRECTOR
(DIRECTOR)

DISTRICT DIRECTOR
(DEPUTY DIRECTOR)

PUBLIC RESEARCH, ADMIN. FINANCE

AND AND
VESTED SURVEY LAND LAND MONITORING
LANDS AND AND HUMAN
VALUATION REGISTRATION
MG’T MAPPING EVALUATION RESOURCE

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RTI, 2019 (Act 989) DIVISIONS UNDER LANDS COMMISSION

,2.4 Classes and Types of information

List of various classes of information in the custody of the institution:

1. Administrative and Human Resource Management Information
2. Information relating to the core activities mandated by the Lands Commission
Act, 2008(ACT 767).

Types of Information Accessible at a fee:

1. Searches on Land information at all Divisions of Lands Commission are
accessible at a fee.

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Processing and Decision on Application – S. 23

3. Processing and Decision on Application – S. 23

1 2 3
The designated RTI Where the application does
Officer shall upon receipt not fall within the ambit of
Application made s. 23 (7), the RTI Officer shall
under s.18 is of the application make a within 14 days of receiving
determination as to the request, engage the
submitted to the
whether or not the relevant persons within the
Information Unit/ application is one that institution and the
Registry of the Public safeguards the life or information generating
Institution liberty of a person within directorate to confirm the
the ambit of s. 23 (7) availability of the information
requested

Where the information

Where an EXTENSION of time The Decision shall where requested shall be refused, the
is needed, RTIO shall comply it confirms the availability RTIO shall notify the applicant
with S. 25. of information state the within 12 days of receiving the
manner in which access application, communicating
IF NOT the refusal of the application
will be granted and
Notice of the Decision shall and the reason for the refusal.
whether or not access to
be communicated to the Where it falls within the
the information shall be exempt category s.5-17; s.23
Applicant by or on the 14th
working day from when the
given in part and the (10);s.24; the RTIO shall state
application was made. reasons for giving only the section/reason the refusal
part. (s. 23(1)(2)(3). was based.

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Amendment of Personal Record

4. Amendment of Personal Record

A person given access to information contained in records of a public institution may
apply for an amendment of the information if the information represents the personal
records of that person and in the person’s opinion, the information is incorrect,
misleading, incomplete or out of date.

4.1 How to apply for an Amendment

a. The application should be in writing indicating;
▪ Name and proof of identity.
▪ Particulars that will enable the records of the public institution
identify the applicant
▪ The incorrect, misleading, incomplete or the out of date information
in the record.
▪ Signature of the applicant
b. For incomplete information claimed or out of date records, the application
should be accompanied with the relevant information which the applicant
considers necessary to complete the records.

c. The address to which a notice shall be sent should be indicated.

d. The application can then be submitted at the office of the public institution

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Fees and Charges for Access to Information

5. Fees and Charges for Access to Information

The Act mandates Parliament in Section 75 to approve a fee that public institutions can
charge. However, fees shall apply to only the three circumstances stated below:
▪ Request for information in a language other than the language in which the
information is held. (s.75) (3).

▪ When request is made for a written transcript of the information, a

reasonable transcription cost may be requested by the Information Officer.
(s.75) (4).

▪ Cost of media conversion or reformatting. (s.75) (5).

Under Section 75 (2), fees are not payable for:
▪ reproduction of personal information
▪ information in the public interest
▪ information that should be provided within stipulated time under the Act
▪ an applicant who is poor or has a disability
▪ time spent by the information officer in reviewing the information
▪ time spent by the information officer to examine and ensure the
information is not exempt
▪ preparing the information

Section 76 subjects the retention of charges received by a public institution to the

Constitution. Thus a public institution is authorized to retain charges received under the
Act to be used only to defray expenses incurred by the public institution in the
performance of functions under the Act and be paid into a bank account opened for the
purpose with the approval of the Controller and Accountant-General.

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix A: Standard RTI Request Form

6. Appendix A: Standard RTI Request Form

[Reference No.: ………………………….]

APPLICATION FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION UNDER THE RIGHT TO

INFORMATION ACT, 2019 (ACT 989)

1. Name of Applicant:

2. Date:

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3. Public Institution:

4. Date of Birth: DD MM YYYY

Individual Organization/Institution
5. Type of Applicant:

6. TIN Number

7. If Represented, Name of
Representative:

7 (a). Capacity of Representative:

8.
Type of Identification: National ID Card Passport Voter’s ID
Driver’s License

8 (a). Id. No.:

9. Description of the Information being sought (specify the type and class of
information including cover dates. Kindly fill multiple applications for multiple
requests):

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix A: Standard RTI Request Form

10. Manner of Access:

Inspection of Information
Copy of Information
Viewing / Listen
Written Transcript

Translated (specify language)

10 Form of Access:
(a). Hard copy Electronic copy Braille

11. Contact Details:

Email
Address__________________________________

Postal
Address_________________________________

Tel: _________________________________________

12. Applicant’s signature/thumbprint:

13. Signature of Witness (where applicable)

“This request was read to the applicant in
the language the applicant understands
and the applicant appeared to have
understood the content of the request.”

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix B: Contact Details of LAND COMMISSION’s Information Unit

7. Appendix B: Contact Details of LAND COMMISSION’s Information

Unit

Name of Information/Designated Officer:

AUGUSTINE BOAKYE

Telephone/Mobile number of Information Unit:

0302423760 / 0302760550
Email:
Postal Address of the institution:

P.O.BOX CT 5008, CANTONMENTS-ACCRA

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix C: Acronyms

8. Appendix C: Acronyms
Instructions: Provide a list of acronyms and associated literal translations used within
the manual. List the acronyms in alphabetical order using the table below.
Table 1 Acronyms
Acronym Literal Translation
RTI Right to Information
MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies
s. Section
MMDAs Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
LC Lands Commission

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix D: Glossary

9. Appendix D: Glossary
This Glossary presents clear and concise definitions for terms used in this manual that
may be unfamiliar to readers listed in alphabetical order. Definitions for terms are based
on section 84 of the RTI Act.

Table 2 Glossary
Term Definition
Access Right to Information
Access to Right to obtain information from public institutions
information
Contact Information by which an applicant and an information officer may be
details contacted
Court A court of competent jurisdiction
Designated An officer designated for the purposes of the Act who perform similar
officer role as the information officer
Exempt Information which falls within any of the exemptions specified in
information sections 5 to 16 of the Act
Function Powers and duties
Government Any authority by which the executive authority of the Republic of Ghana
is duly exercised
Information Information according to the Act includes recorded matter or material
regardless of form or medium in the possession or under the control or
custody of a public institution whether or not it was created by the
public institution, and in the case of a private body, relates to the
performance of a public function.
Information The information officer of a public institution or the officer designated to
officer whom an application is made
Public Used throughout this document to refer to a person who requires and/or
has acquired access to information.
Public Includes a private institution or organization that receives public
institution resources or provides a public function
Right to The right assigned to access information
information
Section Different parts of the RTI Act

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Subject to RTI, 2019 (Act 989) Appendix D: Glossary

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