The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has given the assurance that public lands are intact and secured under this current government.
Speaking at the Ministers’ Briefing at the Information Ministry today, August 14, 2024, the minister said the government, as managers of public lands, is not oblivious of its fiduciary duties to the people of Ghana,
He added that under the able and outstanding leadership of President Akufo-Addo, “we will continue to discharge these duties transparently, anchored on the highest standards of integrity, candor, and utmost good faith, to ensure the protection and judicious use of public lands in the public interest, and for the ultimate benefit of the people of Ghana”.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor also revealed that President Akufo-Addo has directed the compilation of a list of all public lands that have been transferred, leased, or sublet since the inception of the Fourth Republic on 7 January 19.
The Minister further disclosed that a dedicated team of men and women at the Lands Commission are working to put together the list, adding that the details will be made public once the exercise is complete.
According to the Minister, the approach of the president will promote transparency in the Land sector.
“In the spirit of transparency, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has directed the compilation of a list of all public lands that have been transferred, leased, sublet, also since the inception of the Fourth Republic on 7 January 1993.
“ A dedicated team of men and women at the Lands Commission are working to put together this list, the details of which will be made public once the exercise is complete and the Ghanaian people will have the opportunity to scrutinize this list and make conclusions for themselves.” The Minister added.
The Minister further explained that the grant of public lands for development was not necessarily wrong adding, “ As population grows with competing needs for land, it becomes necessary to change the use of some of these lands to meet the developmental needs of the nation. For instance, the Labone and South Laboni estates were originally acquired in 1902 for coconut cultivation but had to be given to the State Housing Company to develop them into a residential area”
“The lands at Botema, which now hold the Botema Estate, Sports Complex and Aquatic Centre, were acquired for livestock farm in 1940. Airport residential areas, as well as portions of Airport West and East Lagoon, were originally acquired for aerodrome services but have been developed into one of the prime areas of our capital city. Cantonments and Switchback residential areas, parts of Roman Ridge, Jowulo and Achimota residential areas are just a few of such examples,” Mr Abu Jinapor said.
He gave the assurance that the government, as managers of public lands, are not oblivious of its fiduciary duties to the people of Ghana and that under the able and outstanding leadership of President Akufo-Addo, “we will continue to discharge these duties transparently, anchored on the highest standards of integrity, candor, and utmost good faith, to ensure the protection and judicious use of public lands in the public interest, and for the ultimate benefit of the people of Ghana”.
He further stated the assurance that the public lands of Ghana are intact and secured under this current government.
