Examining Participation of Expropriated Owners in Compulsory Land Acquisition for the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Project in Ghana

The participation of expropriated owners in compulsory land acquisition processes is necessary to maximise benefits, minimize the negative consequences and prevent actions or omissions associated with the implementation of the expropriation order. The procedure for compulsory land acquisition in Ghana starts with the government declaring an intention to acquire any parcel(s) of land within the territory of Ghana and ends with the resolution of inconsistencies and conflicts arising out of the acquisition. The main objective of the study was to investigate the extent of participation by expropriated owners of the Nzema East Municipality and the Ellembelle District in the compulsory land acquisition process for the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Project. Underpinned by the citizen participation theory, the study adopted the mixed methods research design. The quantitative data was collected through a survey from sampled expropriated persons in 24 affected communities of the study area while the qualitative data was obtained through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study revealed that the mode of engagement between the expropriated persons and the expropriators was through information sharing, thereby limiting the participation exercise to the first rung of the citizen's participation theory. As a recommendation, the Lands Commission should improve community participation in the expropriation order by ensuring information flow and feedback at any stage of the acquisition process.