The Government of Ghana has directed the Attorney General to draft a new State Assets Protection Bill aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing the management and disposal of public assets.
The decision, announced by President John Dramani Mahama, forms part of broader efforts by Cabinet to improve accountability, transparency, and oversight in the use of state-owned property across the country. The proposed law is expected to set clear guidelines on how government lands, buildings, factories, and other public assets can be sold, transferred, or leased.
According to the President, the move is intended to prevent arbitrary or poorly regulated disposal of state property by future governments and ensure that all transactions involving public assets follow strict legal and institutional procedures. He explained that the bill will establish conditions under which state assets can be handled, with stronger safeguards to protect national resources.
The directive was issued during engagements at the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026, where the President also outlined other governance reforms approved by Cabinet, including the National Ethics and Anti Corruption Action Plan 2026 to 2030. Officials say both initiatives are part of a wider strategy to rebuild public trust in state institutions and promote responsible governance.
Government sources indicate that the State Assets Protection Bill will also complement existing efforts to strengthen oversight of public property management. In recent years, concerns have been raised about the sale and leasing of state lands and buildings, with critics arguing that weak controls have sometimes exposed public assets to undervaluation or improper disposal.
The new legislation is expected to introduce stricter approval processes, potentially requiring higher levels of authorisation before any significant state asset can be transferred or sold. It may also establish monitoring mechanisms to track the lifecycle of public assets and ensure transparency in valuation and transactions.
Policy analysts say the proposed law could become a key reform in Ghana’s public financial management system, particularly if it introduces parliamentary oversight or independent review structures for major asset transactions. Supporters argue that such measures are necessary to protect national wealth and ensure long term economic value from state property.
The Attorney General’s office is now expected to begin drafting the bill for submission to Cabinet and subsequently Parliament, where it will undergo further scrutiny and debate before possible passage into law.
The development comes at a time when the government is also pursuing broader anti corruption and governance reforms, signalling an intensified push to strengthen institutional accountability across the public sector.
If passed, the State Assets Protection Bill is expected to reshape how public property is managed in Ghana, creating a more structured and transparent system for safeguarding national assets.
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