The Ministry of Land and Natural Resources has stated that if there ever is state capture of public lands by any government and its official, it started under the John Mahama NDC administration in 2012.
The Ministry clarified the historical context and current status of the lands in question and refuted claims of wrongdoing by the current administration.
The Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, in a statement on Tuesday, July 16, welcomed any interest and intense scrutiny regarding transactions related to the public lands of Ghana as a crucial measure for safeguarding these lands for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
This follows allegations by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has accused the Akufo-Addo government of selling off various public lands in Accra and other parts of the country to cronies.
The Ministry, Abu Jinapor said, will clarify the records concerning the public lands in question to address and dispel any allegations related to the government’s management and transactions of these lands.
According to him, a detailed history of the acquisitions and use of the lands that are the subject matter of the allegations indicate that they were not sold or leased under the current administration and that the allegations of state capture are false.
He explained that to ensure the President fulfils his constitutional duty regarding public lands; a Policy Directive was issued to the Lands Commission on August 17, 2021, to refer all transactions relating to the grant of any interest in public land to the office of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for prior approval.
“The directive added, “Any deed executed without the approval of the President through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources would be deemed void as same would have been done without the authority of the President in whom these lands are vested.”
“This, we believe, is the best way to ensure the efficient management and utilisation of public lands in the public interest,” he added.
Abu Jinapor assured the general public that the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to an efficient and effective land administration anchored on the highest standards of integrity, transparency and candour, in the public interest.
The Ministry, he said, will, therefore, continue to work with all stakeholders to deliver an effective, transparent, responsive and orderly land administration which is above board and steeped in integrity.