The Lands Commission on Tuesday (17 January) began demolition of unauthorised structures on state acquired and vested lands in parts of Accra, an official statement has said.
It comes after the commission received several reports with great contestation of encroachments on state lands within Amrahia, Mpehuasem and Nungua (Borteyman) in Accra by unknown armed men.
A statement issued by the commission on Monday (16 January) called on the public to offer its maximum support to ensure a smooth exercise.
“Following a reconnaissance inspection of sites in Borteyman, Amanhria and Mphehuasem, the joint team of lands administrators and police officers agreed on the urgency of a more extensive exercise to recover and protect all the encroached portions including demolishing of unauthorised structures.
“The commission with the assistance of the Ghana Police Service officially starts the exercise on 17 January 2023 to recover and protect such sites and other state-acquired areas; per section 236 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036),” the Lands commission statement said.
Below is the full statement:
PRESS RELEASE
16TH JANUARY,2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DEMOLITION EXERCISE AT AMRAHIA, MPEHUASEM AND NUNGUA (BORTEYMAN), STATE ENCROACHED LANDS.
The Government of Ghana, through the Lands Commission administers all state –acquired and vested lands in the country.
The Lands Commission has received a number of reports with great contestation, of encroachments on state lands within Amrahia, Mpehuasem and Nungua (Borteyman) in Accra by unknown armed men. The illegality started during the festive season in December,2022 and continues to occur. These parcels under threat are parts of Government acquisitions with compensations paid;
- State Lands (Kweiman-Amrahia – Site for Modern Diary Farm) Instrument, 1970 (E.I.47) with approximate area of 1,381.995 acres.
- State Lands – (Accra-Mpehuasem – Site for Accra Training College) Instrument, 2009 (E. I. 16) with approximate area of 111.25 acres.
- State Lands – (Accra-Nungua – Site for Site for Livestock Farm) Instrument, 1940 (Certificate of Title 214/40) with approximate area of 2,570.05 acres.
In all the acquisitions above, on the goodwill of Government, some portions of the sites have been released to the pre-acquisition owners.
Following a reconnaissance inspection of sites in Borteyman, Amanhria and Mphehuasem, the joint team of Lands Administrators and Police Officers agreed on the urgency of a more extensive exercise to recover and protect all the encroached portions including demolishing of unauthorised structures.
The Commission with the assistance of the Ghana Police Service officially starts the exercise on 17th January, 2023 to recover and protect such sites and other state-acquired areas; per section 236 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036),
It is expected the public would offer maximum support to the Commisssion as it undertakes this mandate.
Thank you.
SIGNED
JAMES E. K. DADSON
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, LANDS COMMISSION