The group OccupyGhana has written to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ask whether there is any ‘Ministerial Policy Direction’ with regards to public lands vested in the government of Ghana.
The letter was dated 5th July 2022, and directed to the Minister. It was titled ‘REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – MINISTERIAL POLICY DIRECTIVE ON RELEASE OR RELINQUISHING OF PUBLIC LANDS’.
OccupyGhana stated that since the coming into force of the Fourth Republican Constitution on 7 January 1993, several parcels of public lands have been released from government ownership or control.
They stated that these include lands that the government had acquired over the years through outright purchases, statutory vesting, compulsory acquisition or the constitutional freehold reversionary interest under article 266 of the Constitution.
“We are interested in the circumstances surrounding the release or relinquishing of these lands. We therefore request, in the exercise of our right to information under article 21 of the Constitution, for the following:
“1. Whether there exists any written Ministerial Policy Direction to the Lands Commission on these matters, issued under article 258(2) of the Constitution; and, if so
“2. A copy of that written Ministerial policy direction.
“We look forward to hearing from you shortly,” the group stated.
(Below is the letter from the group).
5th July, 2022
The Minister
Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources
Accra
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – MINISTERIAL POLICY DIRECTIVE ON RELEASE OR RELINQUISHING OF PUBLIC LANDS
Since the coming into force of the Fourth Republican Constitution on 7 January 1993, several parcels of public lands have been released from government ownership or control. These include lands that the government had acquired over the years through outright purchases, statutory vesting, compulsory acquisition or the constitutional freehold reversionary interest under article 266 of the Constitution.
We are interested in the circumstances surrounding the release or relinquishing of these lands. We therefore request, in the exercise of our right to information under article 21 of the Constitution, for the following:
- Whether there exists any written Ministerial Policy Direction to the Lands Commission on these matters, issued under article 258(2) of the Constitution; and, if so
- A copy of that written Ministerial policy direction.
We look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours in the service of God and Country
OccupyGhana
- The Information Officer
Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources
Accra
The Executive Secretary
Right to Information Commission
Accra
