Fourteen staff of the Lands Commission have been interdicted over their alleged involvement in fraudulent activities. The fraudulent scheme, detected in May 2022 by the Commission’s Audit Unit, revealed discrepancies in the tax figures paid by property owners during the registration of their properties.
The alleged Stamp Duty fraud, amounting to an alleged GHS100 million tax loss, prompted swift action from the Commission. Mr. Benjamin Arthur, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission, announced the interdiction during the Executive Secretary’s Annual Briefing and launching of the Staff Awards Scheme in Accra on Friday.
Subsequent investigations by the Commission revealed that the initially estimated tax loss had been exaggerated. Internal disciplinary action has been taken against the implicated staff members, who are currently undergoing court processes led by the National Investigations Bureau.
In addition to the Stamp Duty fraud case, disciplinary procedures are being carried out against other Commission staff for fraudulent deletion and insertion of records, leading to false search reports.
Mr. Arthur emphasized that while the Commission would provide the necessary job security for its staff, acts of indiscipline and fraud would not be condoned. He expressed the commitment of the management to assist state investigation bodies in weeding out any misconduct within the organization.
The event also marked the unveiling of a five-year Business Strategic Plan (2023-2027) for the Commission. The plan outlines major goals, including enhancing financial sustainability, implementing digital reforms, and improving the competence and discipline of staff to elevate overall service delivery.
Mr. Arthur announced the launch of an outreach program, the “You Deserve to Know” campaign, scheduled for this year. The campaign aims to educate the public about various aspects of the Commission’s operations, services, fees, and digital reform platforms. This initiative is expected to enhance the corporate image of the Commission, build public trust, and correct misconceptions about its role.
The Acting Executive Secretary emphasized that the success of the corporate image redemption drive hinged on improvements in service delivery. He called for teamwork among staff and management to achieve the desired outcomes.
Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, expressed confidence in the Commission’s leadership and highlighted the Ministry’s plans for the year, including the digital transformation of land administration activities, the completion of the new Lands Commission’s head office, and an enhancement of the Commission’s corporate image. He expressed belief that Ghanaians would vouch for the credibility and efficiency of the Commission in the near future.