By: Maame Efua Kwaduah
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strongly refuted allegations that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration is selling state lands to associates and cronies.
At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor expressed disbelief at the claims regarding the disposal of public lands, calling them surprising.
Mr. Jinapor addressed specific disputed properties, such as a parcel of land at Cantonments and the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, clarifying that these lands were not sold under the current NPP government.
He questioned the credibility of those who, having previously overseen the sale of these state lands, are now accusing President Akufo-Addo of state capture.
He mentioned allegations that this government sold some bungalows belonging to the Judiciary Service at Cantonments to a private developer. However, Mr. Jinapor explained that these bungalows were sold as far back as July 13, 2015, to Frimps Oil Company Limited, following an approval granted by the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, on June 2, 2015.
Regarding the W.E.B. DuBois Centre, he referred to a press release from July 16, 2024, stating that the Lands Commission, which manages public lands and records land transactions, has no pending application for the transfer of this land. He emphasized that the land in question remains under the name of the DuBois Centre.
“For the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, as we have explained in our press release of July 16, 2024, the Lands Commission, the manager of Public Lands and Repository of Records of Lands Transactions has no pending application for the transfer of this land and for the avoidance of doubt, the land in question as we speak, remains in the name of the Dubois Centre,” he revealed.
Mr. Jinapor argued that these examples clearly demonstrate that the allegations of state capture and the narrative that this government is indiscriminately selling public lands are baseless and politically motivated, particularly in the current heated political climate.
He reaffirmed that President Akufo-Addo has been diligent in protecting public lands in the public interest.