Ghana’s real estate has seen considerable growth over the past few years as developers and foreign investment firms like GRIT and REIT continue to show interest in the sector. Also, the government has initiated campaigns to boost tourism such as Year of Return.

The campaign attracted 237,000 more visitors to the country in 2019 alone compared to the previous year and injected about $1.9 billion into its economy. Also, the arrival of companies such as Toyota sends a positive signal to any well-informed investor.

Yes, A foreigner can buy a property in Ghana. The laws of Ghana do not discriminate on who can own property in Ghana; Ghana welcomes foreigners’ rights to buy and own property in Ghana. The Ghanaian law places restrictions only on the duration and type of interests a foreigner can have in the property.  Under the 1992 Constitution, Foreigners can own agricultural, commercial, residential and/or industrial land on a leasehold basis up to 50 years. Ghanaians can lease land for up to 99 years. Upon expiration of a lease, the term is renewed. For future generations not to lose access to the land when the lease expires, the owner of the land states in the transfer agreement that the lease is renewable. Generally speaking, any citizen or non-citizen with enough funds can invest in real estate and own houses in Ghana, subject to the limitations outlined above. This gives rights to foreigners to confidently buy and own property rights in Ghana.

As a foreigner you can invest in Ghana’s Real estate industry; however, you must be thorough in your dealings. As a foreigner, it is crucial to discover who owns the land and whether it is mortgaged or owned outright. This information can be obtained by requesting a land search to be carried out by the Lands Commission of Ghana. First, request a certified copy of an indenture or cadastral plan for the land search from the seller. It provides pertinent technical parameters needed to facilitate a successful search. Information gathered from a search will include the location of the land, its size, topography, its type, who the rightful owner is, whether it is subject to a dispute or not, and whether residential uses are permitted. Taking this step will spare you years of court battles as well as reduce your risk of losing your money to unscrupulous real estate agents.

For non-Ghanaians for whom the process may be a little more complicated, it is recommended you buy land straight from the developer. Established real estate developers such as SSFB Properties, are the safest option.

Ghana has three types of land: Customary/Stool land, Government or Vested land and Family/Private land.

#1. Stool or Customary Land

These are lands owned by the different traditional rulers in the country. These Chiefs or Paramount rulers reserve the right to sell the land and also determine its price. Acquiring a customary or stool land requires direct interaction with the Chief(s) or Traditional ruler(s) in charge. However, The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, a government administration that oversees Stool land negotiations can be of assistance.

#2. Government/State and Vested Land

This type of land is acquired by the government from individuals and traditional leaders. They are most often set aside for government projects. In some cases, the land ownership is shared between the government and the traditional rulers. This type of land is referred to as Vested land.

#3. Family And Private Land

Family land belongs to a family while private land belongs to an individual or group. This type of land is scarce since a vast majority of lands in Ghana are owned by the traditional rulers. When buying this land, it is important to make sure you are dealing with the head of the family in the case of family land. The head of the family usually holds the administrative right over the land. For individuals, it is prudent to do a thorough investigation to find out if you are dealing with the rightful owner of the land.