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How to Avoid Land Scams in Ghana

How to Avoid Land Scams in Ghana

Introduction

Buying land in Ghana is a powerful way to build wealth, secure your future, and leave a legacy. But in a market where over 70% of land transactions remain informal, many first-time buyers — especially Ghanaians abroad — have lost money, trust, or both to land fraud.

If you’re considering purchasing land in Ghana, this guide gives you a step-by-step strategy to avoid scams, secure your investment, and buy with total confidence.

Why Land Scams Are So Common in Ghana

  • Fragmented land documentation
  • Chieftaincy disputes
  • Poor legal enforcement
  • Too many middlemen

With the right guidance and due diligence, you can avoid 95% of land-related fraud:

 

1. Verify Ownership Before You Pay — Every Time

  • Visit the Lands Commission to verify the title
  • Confirm boundary coordinates with a licensed surveyor
  • Check with the District Assembly for zoning and acquisition issues

Red Flag: If you’re pressured to “pay now or lose the land,” walk away — that’s a scam signal.

2. Ask for These Key Documents — Then Validate Them

  • Land Title Certificate or Indenture
  • Site plan with surveyor’s endorsement
  • Allocation letter (if it’s stool or family land)
  • Receipts for stamped documents

Next Step: Cross-check every document at the Lands Commission or have your lawyer do it.

3. Buy From Reputable Developers or Registered Agents

  • Licensed real estate companies
  • Developers with registered land banks
  • Agents who are traceable and accountable

At Pearson Properties, every plot is litigation-free, verified, and registered — with guided legal support.

4. Avoid ‘Caretaker Deals’ or Agents With No Legal Standing

  • Proof of ownership (ID + title)
  • Direct interaction with the real landowner(s)
  • Signed agreements after proper verification

Tip: Never hand over cash without written documentation, even if it’s a family friend.

5. Use a Lawyer and Get a Sales Agreement

  • Payment terms and timelines
  • Legal description of the land
  • Names and signatures of verified owners
  • Witnesses and seals

Bonus Tip: Sign before a Commissioner of Oaths or in court for added protection.

6. Register the Land Immediately After Purchase

  • Prepare your stamped indenture
  • Submit to the Lands Commission for processing
  • Collect your Land Title Certificate in your name

Without this, your ownership is not legally protected.

 

7. Check for Litigation, Family Disputes, or Government Acquisition

  • Land being sold during a family dispute
  • Properties under litigation or double sale
  • Areas marked for government acquisition

Do a High Court search or engage a legal firm to check land status in: Prampram, Amasaman, East Legon Hills, Kasoa, Oyarifa.

Final Word: Trust Is Not a Strategy — Due Diligence Is

Whether you’re based in Ghana or abroad, buying land is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. Don’t rush. Don’t guess. And don’t assume.

Protect your investment with process, proof, and professionals.

Need Help Securing Land the Right Way?

We Offer

  • Free land due diligence support
  • Verified, titled, litigation-free plots
  • Transparent pricing and installment plans
  • Legal vetting and registration assistance