The President of Ghana has appointed Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah, a distinguished academic and expert in real estate finance and economics, as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission. This decision, effective immediately, is pending formal confirmation in line with constitutional and statutory requirements.
The appointment, communicated via a letter dated April 14, 2025, and signed by Callistus Mahama, Ph.D., Secretary to the President, was made under Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 24(1) of the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767). The letter further indicated that the appointment would be subject to the advice of the Lands Commission in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah has been formally congratulated by the Presidency and is required to confirm his acceptance of the position within seven days of receiving the letter.
About Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah
Prof. Owusu-Ansah is a prominent academic with a wealth of experience in real estate, finance, and land economy. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Land Economy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he is also a Professor of Real Estate Finance and Economics.
Prior to his tenure at KNUST, he was an Associate Professor of Finance at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), where he held various leadership roles, including Head of the Finance and Accounting Department and Coordinator of Graduate Programs at the Business School.
Educational Background and Professional Achievements
Prof. Owusu-Ansah holds a Ph.D. in Real Estate from the University of Aberdeen, UK. His academic journey also includes an MSc in Real Estate Management from the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and a BSc in Land Economy (First Class Honours) from KNUST.
He is a professional member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors and an Associate Fellow of the British Higher Education Academy. His teaching repertoire includes courses in Real Estate Economics, Real Estate Finance, Corporate Finance, Quantitative Research Methods, and Real Estate Valuation.
Renowned for his expertise in Hedonic Modelling and House Price Index Construction, Prof. Owusu-Ansah has consulted extensively on real estate valuation, crop compensation valuation, market analysis, and land-use assessments.
Research Contributions and Publications
Prof. Owusu-Ansah’s research delves into housing market analysis, behavioural finance, index construction, and land management systems, with a particular focus on Ghanaian housing markets. His scholarly contributions include over a dozen publications in leading international journals, such as Housing Studies, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, and Habitat International.
In 2018, he authored the book Construction and Application of Property Price Indices, published by Routledge, London, which has become a key reference for real estate practitioners and academics alike.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah has also served as an external examiner for prestigious institutions, including the University of Cape Coast, University of Witwatersrand, University of Mines and Technology, and University of Johannesburg.
Vision for the Lands Commission
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Lands Commission intensifies efforts to modernize land administration and improve transparency in land management. With his extensive academic and professional background, Prof. Owusu-Ansah is expected to bring transformative leadership to the Commission, driving reforms that align with Ghana’s developmental agenda.
An alumnus of Kumasi Academy, Prof. Owusu-Ansah’s appointment is widely regarded as a significant step toward enhancing efficiency and professionalism within the Lands Commission.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
