Discuss 5 major ways in which the land act 2020 (act1036) departs from the land law of Ghana. Immediately preceding a coming into force of the act.?

1. Customary land tenure: The Land Act 2020 introduces significant changes to customary land tenure in Ghana. It provides for the establishment of customary land secretariats to oversee the administration of customary land and ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation and management of such land. This is a departure from the previous system where customary land was often managed by traditional authorities without clear guidelines or oversight.

2. Land registration: The Land Act 2020 places a greater emphasis on the registration of land in Ghana. It introduces a mandatory requirement for all land transactions to be registered with the Land Title Registry, in order to provide greater security of land tenure and prevent disputes over land ownership. This is a departure from the previous system where land registration was not mandatory and many land transactions were not properly documented.

3. Land use planning: The Land Act 2020 introduces provisions for land use planning in Ghana, including the establishment of land use planning committees at the district level to oversee the development and implementation of land use plans. This is a departure from the previous system where land use planning was often ad hoc and not based on comprehensive planning principles.

4. Land acquisition: The Land Act 2020 introduces new provisions for the acquisition of land for public purposes, including the requirement for a public purpose declaration and compensation for affected landowners. This is a departure from the previous system where land could be acquired by the government without clear guidelines or compensation for affected landowners.

5. Dispute resolution: The Land Act 2020 establishes a Land Court to adjudicate land disputes in Ghana, providing a specialized forum for resolving land-related disputes in a timely and efficient manner. This is a departure from the previous system where land disputes were often resolved through traditional authorities or the regular court system, which could be slow and costly.

5 Major Ways the Land Act 2020 (Act 1036) Departs from the Land Law of Ghana Immediately Preceding Its Coming into Force:

1. Establishment of the Lands Commission as the sole regulatory body:
- The Land Commission replaces the previous fragmented system of land administration involving multiple agencies.
- It is responsible for coordinating and regulating all land-related matters, including registration, titling, and dispute resolution.

2. Simplified Land Registration Process:
- The Act introduces a streamlined and centralized land registration system with the aim of reducing fraud and improving transparency.
- It eliminates the need for multiple documents and provides for electronic registration, making the process more accessible and efficient.

3. Abolition of Customary Freehold:
- The Act abolishes the concept of "customary freehold," which previously allowed land to be held under customary law but with freehold title.
- All land will now be held as either allodial (absolute ownership) or leasehold.

4. Enhanced Land Acquisition Provisions:
- The Act provides new mechanisms for acquiring land, including compulsory acquisition for public purposes.
- It introduces safeguards to ensure fair compensation and due process for affected landowners.

5. Increased Public Participation and Transparency:
- The Act emphasizes public participation in land-related decision-making processes.
- It requires the disclosure of land dealings and provides mechanisms for public scrutiny of land transactions.