President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce a law in Parliament to regulate the sale, lease, or transfer of public property.
The suggested Divestiture of Public Property Bill, as stated by the President, will require parliamentary approval prior to the sale, transfer, or privatization of any public property, especially government lands and assets.
“If you wish to sell public property such as real estate, you must obtain the approval of the people’s representatives, which is Parliament,” President Mahama remarked. “No public land transaction will be processed at the Lands Commission unless it receives ratification from Parliament.”
The President indicated that this initiative aims to curb what he termed the excessive sale and mortgaging of government assets without public oversight, emphasizing that no administration should be permitted to dispose of state property without accountability.
President Mahama made these comments on Wednesday evening [February 3, 2026] during a meeting with the Ghanaian diaspora in Lusaka, Zambia, as part of his three-day state visit to the Southern African nation at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Regarding state-owned enterprises, the President disclosed that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is once again operational, pointing out that there were attempts under the previous administration to transfer the refinery to a private entity for a period of 15 years.
“One government cannot simply come and mortgage public property without the consent of the people’s representatives,” he stated, questioning the absence of public accountability in such dealings.
He clarified that once the Bill is enacted, any proposal to auction public land, sell government property, or divest a state factory would be subject to parliamentary examination.
“If Parliament deems it fair, they will approve it. If they find it unfair, they will reject it, and if they do not approve it, it cannot proceed,” the President added, noting that he has instructed the Attorney-General to commence work.
