In Ghana, revenues generated from customary lands—including sources like mineral royalties, timber, ground rent, farm rent, mining concessions, and large-scale land transactions—are a vital part of community resources. Managed through national legislation, these funds are administered by designated authorities, primarily Traditional Leaders and Local Government Authorities, to support the land-owning groups they represent, as laid out in Article 36(8) of the 1992 Constitution. However, longstanding frameworks governing benefit distribution are now under scrutiny due to growing concerns over inequitable sharing practices.

Concerns from multiple stakeholders have highlighted areas for improvement in the current benefit-sharing model. Chiefs have voiced dissatisfaction with the share allocated to Local Government Authorities, while Queen Mothers have called for inclusion in the distribution framework, noting their exclusion from decision-making and disbursement processes. Community members are also advocating for more funds to reach local areas, as they often see limited benefits despite significant revenue generation.

To address these issues, COLANDEF, with support from the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) and in partnership with the Land Sector Multi-Stakeholder Platform (LSMSP), recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of the current benefit-sharing framework. This research focuses on the legal structures and mechanisms behind revenue distribution, with the goal of developing a more equitable model.

Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, COLANDEF, RRI, and LSMSP are working to create a revised benefit-sharing framework that aligns with the values of transparency and fairness. By ensuring the inclusion of previously underrepresented voices, this initiative aims to foster a revenue distribution system that meets the needs of all stakeholders and strengthens Ghana’s commitment to social equity and sustainable land governance.