The cost of land title formalisation in Ghana

Gyau, KAB; Hammond, FN; Lamond, JE

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess cost of land title formalisation in Ghana from the standpoint of individual land/property owners with the view to suggesting a cost-effective means for title formalisation in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a quantitative research approach with mainly questionnaire instruments to obtain data from real estate valuers, land agents and lawyers in Accra, Ghana's capital city.
Findings
Consistent with the literature, the paper found that title formalisation cost is high with extensive time lag. A substantial portion of the cost emanates from commuting cost for follow-ups to expedite action on title formalisation activities, cost of time lag and unofficial and professional fees for facilitation of title formalisation activities.
Practical implications
For land title formalisation to contribute to socio-economic development of Ghana and other developing countries, there is a need for effective and efficient land title formalisation regime to reduce excessive time lag and monetary cost for title formalisation.
Originality/value
Few studies have examined the extent of title formalisation cost in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of these studies tend to overlook several indirect costs and give misleading cost reportage or focus on social cost. The study analyses land title formalisation cost from individual land/property owners’ standpoint. The paper incorporates indirect costs and gives an idea as to the cost trend. Being first of its kind, the study presents a new dimension to the assessment of land title formalisation cost in Ghana for policy formulation and practice.

Citation

Gyau, K., Hammond, F., & Lamond, J. (2013). The cost of land title formalisation in Ghana. Property Management, 31(5), 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-01-2013-0004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Oct 21, 2013
• Publication Date: Oct 21, 2013
• Deposit Date: Dec 19, 2017
• Journal: Property Management
• Print ISSN: 0263-7472
• Publisher: Emerald
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 389-403
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-01-2013-0004
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/PM-01-2013-0004
• Related Public URLs: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/pm