The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) has announced plans to facilitate the creation of 300 new Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) in 2026, aimed at enhancing customary land administration across the country.
In a New Year statement issued on January 5, 2026, and signed by Acting Administrator Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, the OASL said the initiative aligns with provisions in the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which mandates land-owning stools, skins, clans, and families to establish such secretariats.
The statement highlighted that the new CLSs are projected to generate over 6,000 direct jobs for professionals, including secretaries, drivers, ICT experts, administrators, accountants, land surveyors, mediators, arbitrators, physical planners, valuation and estate surveyors, and lawyers.
Currently, 110 Customary Land Secretariats are operational nationwide. These existing offices have contributed to resolving land disputes, reducing the incidence of land conflicts, promoting transparency and accountability in land dealings, and providing reliable information for potential investors.
The OASL has already begun consultations with key stakeholders, including the National House of Chiefs, Regional Houses of Chiefs, Traditional Councils, stools, skins, clans, families, and land-based non-governmental organizations, in preparation for the rollout.
Emphasising the mandatory nature of the requirement under the Land Act, the statement urged customary land authorities to reach out to OASL’s regional and district offices to initiate the establishment process.
The office pledged to offer training and provide start-up equipment on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
This expansion is expected to address longstanding challenges in Ghana’s customary land sector, such as litigation, unclear boundaries, and tenure insecurity, which have often deterred investment and development.
