Stop Selling Our Lands to Foreigners: Safeguard Our Future

Land signifies more than just a physical location; it embodies our identity, independence, and the groundwork for future generations. The rising trend of selling significant portions of land to foreigners in Ghana raises urgent concerns regarding its long-term effects. If this practice continues unchecked, it may render future generations landless and incapable of establishing industries, infrastructures, or homes.

While accepting foreign investment in land may seem advantageous in the short term, the permanent sale of land has far-reaching consequences. Addressing this problem now is crucial, as neglecting it could lead to hardships for posterity. Instead of outright sales, we should explore alternatives like leasing, which promotes development while preserving ownership rights. We must rethink our land ownership strategy to ensure that our country’s resources remain in the hands of Ghanaians.

Concern Over Foreign Land Acquisitions

In urban areas such as Accra, Tema, Kumasi, and Takoradi, extensive parcels of land have been acquired for various commercial, industrial, and residential purposes. This concern extends into rural areas, where land is similarly being claimed for large-scale agriculture, mining, and real estate projects.

A critical question we must confront is: What will future generations inherit if we persist in selling our lands to foreigners? Land is a limited resource-once sold, it cannot be regained. Unlike leasing, which allows for eventual reclamation, outright sales permanently transfer land to foreign owners.

This issue is particularly troubling because land is not merely an economic resource; it also holds cultural and social significance. Many communities depend on land for farming, shelter, and communal activities. If we continue to sell land at the current pace, we would jeopardize a future in which our children and grandchildren may struggle to meet their basic needs.

Influence on Industrial Development and National Growth

A key concern regarding foreign land sales is their effect on our industrialization goals. We aspire to develop factories, industries, and technological hubs to foster economic growth. However, if we indiscriminately sell our lands, where will these essential facilities be established?

Our industrialization initiatives, such as One District, One Factory (1D1F), rely on substantial land for development. Future administrations may seek to enhance infrastructure or set up more factories, but if all prime land is in foreign hands, there would be scant opportunities for national progress.

For instance, China maintains tight control over its land by opting for leasing arrangements rather than sales, thereby retaining sovereignty over its assets while still benefiting from foreign investment. Ghana should adopt a similar strategy, allowing foreign businesses to operate without permanently owning land.

The Threat of Landlessness and Displacement

The growing trend could also lead to landlessness among the citizenry. Indigenous communities are would be displaced as foreign investors seize large tracts of land for commercial real estate, luxury developments, or agricultural plantations, frequently without adequate compensation. This displacement can lead to conflicts and economic difficulties.

Continuing this trend risks turning Ghanaians into tenants in their homeland, Renting from foreign landowners. The socioeconomic ramifications of this scenario are grim. Land should provide security and wealth for our populace, not be treated as a commodity readily given to outsiders.

Alternatives to Permanent Land Sales

Rather than selling land outright, we should prioritized leasing for foreign investors. Leasing allows foreign entities to utilize the land for a defined timeframe-commonly 50 to 99 years after which ownership returns to the original landowners or the state. This method would keep our lands under our control while facilitating development and investment.

Countries like Singapore and the UAE have successfully implemented leasing frameworks, ensuring that, their lands remain nationally owned while attracting foreign capital. As a country,  could draw inspiration from these examples to formulate policies that emphasize leasing over selling.

Moreover, the government should enhance land management regulations to curtail excessive land sales. Establishing clear policies and stricter enforcement can protect Ghanaian lands from reckless disposals.

The Role of Traditional Leaders and Government Involvement

Traditional leaders are vital in land management, given that many lands in Ghana are governed by customary ownership. Our chiefs and community leaders must acknowledge the long-term repercussions of selling policies and act in their communities interests. While the immediate financial benefits from land sales may be appealing, the long-term costs outweigh these short-term gains.

The government should implement robust policies to limit land sales to foreigners, establishing clear guidelines that favour leasing. Additionally, there should be increased public education on the importance of preserving land for future generations, enhancing awareness of across all societal levels.

Conclusion

Selling land to foreigners poses a severe risk to our country’s future. Inaction could result in lost control of our land, leaving future generations without the necessary resources for housing, industry, and national growth.

We must shift from outright land sales to leasing as the norm, ensuring that the land remains under Ghanaian ownership while enabling investment and development. The government, traditional leaders, and citizens must collaborate to secure our land for future generations.

Let us make informed decisions today not just for ourselves but for the benefit of our descendants. Our land is a legacy; we must protect it.

 

WRITTEN BY: WISDOM KOUDJO KLU, EDUCATIONIST/COLUMNIST, GREATER ACCRA REGION. [email protected]