Agona Swedru, Nov.01, GNA - About 26,000 land cases are pending before the courts in the Central Region.

Mr. Mohammed Alhasan, Central Regional Project Co-ordinator of Lands Commission disclosed this at a day's sensitisation workshop on Land Administration Inventory exercise at Agona Swedru. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Land, Forestry and Mines and attended by Paramount chiefs, sub-chiefs, Assembly members and District Chief Executives from Agona, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Asikuma-Odoben- Brakwa districts.

Mr. Alhasan said the Lands Commission had consulted the Chief Justice to speed up trial of such cases to ensure peace and development in the region.

He said although, the Judicial Service had established special courts to try land cases their operations and deliberations had been slow pace and the consultations between the two institutions could enhance the speedy trial of land cases.

Mr. Alhassan said the Commission had set up an Alternatives Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the regions, made up of land administrators, chiefs and other professionals to fast track land settlements. Mr. Stephen Kumado, Senior Official of Land Valuation Board in Accra said the workshop was to revise laws and regulations for an effective, efficient land administration including land use planning and valuation in the country.

He said it also highlighted inventory of all state acquired and occupied lands for policy formulation on compulsory acquisition and compensation.

Nana Amoakwa Boadu VII, Omanhene of Breman Asikuma Traditional Area and Nana Kobina Botwe II, Swedruhene, appealed to the Government to speed up the payment of compensations to lands that had been acquired to the state.