Abstract: | A doctrine, which appears so far to have been unquestioned, is that in Ghana there is no land without an owner. Its implication seems to be that for every piece of land in the country it is possible to identify an owner. In the opinion of the author the general application of this doctrine is not justified. There is also insufficient authority for the proposition. The possible deductions fromthe doctrine would lead to such absurdities that the doctrine itself must be rejected as unsound. Sections of the article: Statement of the doctrine - The Public Lands Bill of 1897 - The case law - Modern formulation of the doctrine - The doctrine as a rule of law The proposition as a statement of fact - The existence of ownerless lands. Notes; ref. |