The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) has announced plans to facilitate the establishment of 300 new Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) across the country beginning in 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen customary land administration under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).
The initiative is expected to generate more than 6,000 direct jobs nationwide, providing employment opportunities for secretaries, drivers, ICT professionals, administrators, accountants, land surveyors, mediators and arbitrators, physical planners, valuation and estate surveyors, lawyers and other allied professionals.
A statement by the OASL signed by Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie,
Ag. Administrator of Stool Lands indicated that currently, 110 Customary Land Secretariats are operational nationwide, which have contributed significantly to the settlement of land disputes, reduced the incidence of land-related conflicts, enhanced transparency and accountability in land administration, and improved access to reliable land information for investment purposes.
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In preparation for the nationwide rollout, OASL has commenced engagements with key stakeholders, including the National House of Chiefs, Regional Houses of Chiefs, Traditional Councils, Stools, Skins, Clans, Families and land-focused non-governmental organisations.
These consultations are being carried out in line with Part Two, Chapter One of the Land Act, which provides the legal framework for customary land administration.
The Office issued a call to action to customary land authorities, urging them to initiate processes to establish their Customary Land Secretariats through OASL regional and district offices.
Under the Land Act, it is now mandatory for Stools, Skins, Families and Clans that own land to establish a CLS.
OASL has assured that it will provide training and start-up equipment to support the establishment of the secretariats on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
The Acting Administrator of Stool Lands said the expansion of Customary Land Secretariats forms part of broader efforts to modernise land administration, promote orderly land management and support national development.