New bill could change how Ghana's lands, factories and public assets are sold

The Ghanaian government is preparing a new law that could significantly alter how state-owned lands, buildings, factories and other public assets are managed and disposed of.

President John Mahama has announced that Cabinet has approved plans for the drafting of a State Assets Protection Bill, a move aimed at preventing what he described as the arbitrary disposal of public property by successive governments.

The proposed legislation is expected to establish stricter rules governing the sale, transfer and management of state assets, a development that could have far-reaching implications for public finances, investors and state-owned enterprises.

Speaking at the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026, President Mahama said the bill would create a legal framework to ensure greater accountability in decisions involving valuable public assets.

"I'm happy to announce that Cabinet has directed the Attorney-General to draft the State Assets Protection Bill," he said.

"It will provide guidelines under which any state asset can be disposed of, including lands, buildings, factories and industries, so that no government can capriciously dispose of state assets."

Why the bill matters

The management of state assets has long been a contentious issue in Ghana, with concerns often raised over the sale, transfer or allocation of public lands and enterprises by successive administrations.

Economists and governance experts argue that stronger safeguards could help protect public wealth, improve transparency and ensure state assets generate long-term value for the economy.

The proposed legislation is also expected to provide greater clarity for investors engaging with state-owned properties and enterprises by establishing clear procedures for transactions involving public assets.

Anti-corruption strategy approved

Alongside the proposed asset protection law, Cabinet has also approved the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Plan (NEAP) 2026–2030.

The five-year framework is designed to strengthen anti-corruption efforts across public institutions and improve transparency in governance.

President Mahama said the approval of the new strategy demonstrates the government's commitment to rebuilding public trust and strengthening accountability mechanisms.

The policy is expected to guide anti-corruption reforms, institutional oversight and ethics programmes across the public sector over the next five years.

A broader governance agenda

The twin measures form part of the administration's broader effort to improve governance, strengthen public sector accountability and safeguard national resources.

While details of the State Assets Protection Bill are yet to be published, analysts say the legislation could become one of the most significant governance reforms in recent years if it introduces robust oversight mechanisms for the management of public property.

The Attorney-General is expected to begin drafting the legislation following Cabinet's directive, after which it will be presented to Parliament for consideration.