What You Need To Know About Purchasing A Land In Ghana.

For a moment, imagine resting peacefully in a beach chair by the swimming pool of your home as a foreigner, basking beneath the sun rays of the warm sun Ghana provides; only to be interrupted by the authorities who claim that you are trespassing and are not the rightful owner of the piece of land you built your dream house on. Undoubtedly, the struggle to determine and find a good location to begin building your dream home is inevitable, especially in a country you are foreign to.

Ever since the “Beyond The Return Project” was launched, one of the bigger questions on the minds of diasporans and foreigners has been, can a foreigner buy land in Ghana? And the simple answer is yes. However, there are a number of things you need to take note before you can purchase a land in Ghana as a foreigner or from the diaspora. The right avenues and measures must be taken by any foreigner looking to have a problem-free purchase of a piece of land in the motherland.

Here are a few important notices to take when purchasing a plot of land in Ghana as a foreigner.

When buying a land in Ghana as a foreigner, you can go about it in two ways:

1. buy from a Real Estate company which has acquired various plots of land and is putting it out for sale.
2. buy from a private seller.

BUYING FROM REAL ESTATE COMPANIES

For foreigners, this is the safest method to engage in for a smooth purchase of land in modern day Ghana. This is because all processes are spelt out and dealings are transparent and open when dealing with the right people. Any questions you need answered can be posed to the real estate company and since they are institutional entities, you are guaranteed to have a place to locate them when things do not go as planned. Caution must however be taken when choosing the right real estate company to engage in business with. The company must be registered and permitted by the Ghana Real Estate Developers’ Association (GREDA), be undisputedly recognized and must have been in the business for a reasonable amount of time. This is to escape the tragedy of being duped and deceived by scammers.

BUYING FROM A PRIVATE SELLER

Buying a piece of land from a private owner is a decision for great risk takers. This is because this method, is not void from complications, disputes and in extreme cases, court actions. As such, extreme care must be exercised if you would like to end the process successfully with your land safe and sound. Here are a few tips on what to expect and do when buying a plot of land from a private owner.

• Make a choice and carry out a survey/investigation.

Go scouting! To make the right choice, it is best for you to take a field trip round a demarcated parameter or section of the town or city in Ghana you wish to build on as you search for your suitable fit. It is advisable to have by your side, a native of Ghana or of the land whom you can fully trust. This helps break any language barriers and saves you hours of search since they may know a few spots.

Also, an agent could be contacted to acquire knowledge on available lands for sale. A quick background search of the place would be extremely helpful. And no! The BNI and the FBI do not have to be involved in this kind of investigation. A slight, personal and low-profiled survey must be carried out to hear the opinions of members living close to your chosen land or indigens who know issues surrounding the particular plot of land.

• Know the type of land you are buying.

In Ghana, the types of land are solely classified in terms of ownership. Land owned by traditional rulers such as chiefs and kings is referred to as stool/customary lands. They are overseen by the Office of the Administrator of stool lands.

Also, there are pieces of land owned by the government of the nation. Usually, these lands are designated for governmental projects for the consumption of the general citizenry.

There also is private or family land owned by particular families and private individuals. This type is usually not purchased but inherited as legitimate possession until there is a decision by the family to put it out for sale.

Knowing the type of land being sold by the private seller gives the buyer a fair idea of who else to see to make purchasing enquiries and documentation to issue to have a successful deal. With traditional lands, for example, holders of titles such as freehold titles carry much weight in land issuing and purchasing in Ghana.

• Ensure the right documentation has been issued.

All necessary documents must be issued and copies must be sent to you for verification. An indenture must be signed between the seller and buyer and this must be overseen by a reputable lawyer right after agreement and negotiations take place. In the indenture, the price of the land and other details must be highlighted. A site plan must be attached to every copy of the indenture made.

Also, registration documents should be acquired from the Ghana Lands Commission. You would have to notify the commission first and then apply for a transfer of ownership. You will be notified by the commission once your land title certificate and site plan are ready for collection.

Also, make sure to obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Ghana Internal Revenue Service. All these claim the legitimacy and authenticity of your ownership.

• Hire your own surveyor.

After being provided with your site plan which is basically a blueprint of the land containing its dimensions and location, you can opt to hire your personal surveyor who should be in affiliation with the Ghana Institution of Surveyors or the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LiSAG) to cross-check the site plan and ensure the correlation of the dimension and location of the land.

It is an incredible feeling to move to the shores of a foreign country, especially with the intention of staying permanently. Many people would love to begin a new family, start life afresh or set up a commercial institute in a foreign land which receives them with open arms. To ensure these happen, the purchase of the land should be done the right way using these tips mentioned. Remember to stay safe and calm. You will have your home in no time.

Elupstra Studios works with some of the best real estate companies and agents in Ghana. If you need any form of help purchasing a land in Ghana as well as architectural needs for your property, don’t hesitate to contact us via email: elupstrastudios@gmail.com or give us a call on 0205362800.

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