The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and the Ministry of Roads and Highways have agreed to strengthen collaboration to improve the assessment and payment of compensation to property owners affected by road projects.
The agreement followed a meeting between the GhIS leadership and the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, over concerns surrounding compensation claims prepared for some road projects.
In a statement signed by GhIS President, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold, the Institution said the engagement had highlighted systemic challenges, including delays in land acquisition, inadequate stakeholder consultation, inconsistencies in valuation and documentation, and prolonged delays in paying affected persons.
The GhIS also noted that statutory procedures governing compulsory acquisition and compensation had not always been applied consistently, contributing to disputes and delays.
The two sides have therefore agreed to continue discussions through a structured technical process to improve the administration of compensation arising from road projects.
The process will focus on reviewing compensation procedures, improving the exchange of valuation information and documentation, strengthening stakeholder engagement and ensuring compliance with the 1992 Constitution, the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), and recognised professional valuation standards.
The GhIS said a transparent, consistent and professionally grounded compensation system was critical to protecting the rights of affected property owners while ensuring value for money for the state.
It also reiterated its commitment to professional accountability, stressing that compensation claims must be objective, evidence-based and properly documented, with valuations supported by verifiable market information and appropriate professional standards.
Members, it said, were expected to cooperate with properly constituted reviews of compensation claims, provided such reviews followed established procedures and due process.
The Institution reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Ministry and other stakeholders to protect the constitutional rights of affected persons and strengthen professionalism and integrity in the surveying profession.
