The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued a directive to the Lands Commission to eliminate intermediaries commonly known as “goro boys” from their operations.
This move is in response to a 2021 study by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that identified the Lands Commission as one of the most corrupt institutions in Ghana.
Addressing this concern during an Editor’s Forum that focused on the commission’s recent ranking, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio, outlined measures being taken to rectify the situation.
“We are instructing the Lands Commission to expel those ‘goro boys’ and individuals associated with them from the system. These intermediaries cannot operate independently; they rely on collusion and assistance from personnel within the Lands Commission,” stated Owusu Bio.
He also highlighted the proactive steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to root out corruption within their institution, emphasizing that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources intends to follow suit in order to cleanse its system.
Surveyor James Dadson, Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, revealed that efforts to counteract corruption include digitizing the commission’s processes. This technological transformation is aimed at minimizing human interactions and reducing opportunities for corruption.
Dadson commented on the challenge posed by “goro boys”: “It is rare for a document facilitated by a ‘goro boy’ to surpass one processed through the official system. Some intermediaries even abscond after receiving payments.
The documents linger, and we struggle to locate these individuals for inspection appointments. With our technological drive, we aim to minimize human involvement, shifting much of the process to the back office.”
The Lands Commission is taking substantial measures to enhance its operations, aligning with the broader goal of eliminating corruption from land-related processes.