The Chief Executive of KOANS Building Solutions, Kofi Anokye, has cautioned the public against buying land from individuals claiming to be traditional rulers at Teacher Mante, Kyekyewere and surrounding communities in the Eastern Region.

He said many parcels of land in the area have been duly registered by the company for more than 20 years and warned that trespassers would not be allowed to develop such lands.

Management of KOANS Building Solutions Limited also said allegations circulating in some media outlets that the company illegally acquired land in the area are false and should be disregarded.

According to the company, its investigations suggest that the individuals involved are not legitimate traditional authorities but are allegedly engaged in land-guard activities and making claims that could interfere with legitimate land transactions and defraud unsuspecting buyers.

Management has therefore urged the public to exercise caution and conduct proper checks before buying land in the affected communities or elsewhere.

Due diligence when buying land in Ghana

Prospective land buyers are advised to follow these steps:

1. Obtain an independent cadastral site plan for the land you intend to buy.

2. Conduct an official search at the Lands Commission using the site plan to confirm the ownership status of the land.

3. Conduct topographical and cadastral searches where necessary.

4. Verify the name of the registered owner.

5. Check the official search report to ensure that the name of the legitimate owner appears on it if the land is registered.

6. Exercise extreme caution if ownership cannot be established. There may be no guarantee that the person offering the land for sale is the rightful owner.

7. Deal directly with the verified owner. Do not rely on third parties or accept excuses when ownership has not been properly established.

8. Complete the documentation and registration process promptly.

9. After payment, obtain the duly signed indenture and site plan from the seller and submit them to the Lands Commission to begin the registration and transfer of the property into your name.

10. Beware of misleading claims and publications.

11. Independently verify all claims about land ownership and do not rely solely on statements from individuals or groups seeking to influence a transaction.

Management of KOANS Building Solutions Limited assured its clients that the company remains committed to protecting their legitimate interests and ensuring that land transactions conducted through the company comply with the relevant legal and registration requirements.

The public is encouraged to conduct proper due diligence and seek professional legal advice before committing money to any land transaction.