State Housing Company Limited (SHC) has issued a final notice to individuals and entities encroaching on its lands and properties across the country, warning of imminent legal and enforcement action.

In a press release issued in Accra, the company said the directive forms part of efforts to safeguard state assets in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources and in line with a Government of Ghana directive.

According to SHC, a recent nationwide land audit uncovered significant levels of unauthorised occupation, encroachment and development on lands and properties belonging to the company in various parts of the country.

Management noted that such activities undermine its mandate to provide quality and affordable housing for Ghanaians.

The company has therefore directed all persons, groups, developers and entities occupying, developing, selling, leasing or laying claim to SHC lands without valid and verifiable documentation issued by the company to immediately cease such activities.

SHC reminded the public that state lands are protected under Ghanaian law, particularly the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which outlines procedures for the management and recovery of state lands.

It stressed that unauthorised occupation constitutes both a criminal and civil offence.

The company has given encroachers a 21-day window from the date of the notice to report to any SHC office nationwide for verification and possible regularisation.

Affected persons have been directed to halt all development activities immediately and submit applications for formal regularisation of their interest in the land or property, subject to the company’s planning and zoning requirements.

SHC warned that failure to comply after the expiration of the notice period will result in decisive action, including legal proceedings, demolition of unauthorised structures, recovery of lands and properties, and collaboration with state security agencies to enforce compliance.

The company also advised members of the public to conduct due diligence in all land and property transactions by verifying documents directly with SHC.

It cautioned that it will not be liable for losses arising from dealings with unauthorised persons.

SHC said the notice was issued in the interest of protecting state assets, promoting orderly development and upholding the rule of law.

For further inquiries, the public has been advised to contact the company’s head office at Ring Road West in Accra or visit any SHC office nationwide.