AKUFO ADDO, APPOINTEES HAVE NOT GRABBED OR SOLD PUBLIC LANDS  -Abu Jinapor

Report by Edward FRIMPONG and Nana POKU
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai  Jinapor, has vehemently defended his government
about the series of allegations levelled against the Akufo Addo regime for land Grabbing and indiscriminate sale of
public lands.
Speaking at the Minister's Press Briefing in Accra, the minister dismissed the unfounded allegations of what some
political opponents have labelled "State Capture of Public Lands” by the operatives and appointees of the Akufo
Addo administration in recent times.
He provided records, dates, and details of the affected lands in question.
He stated that most of the sold lands date back from 2015 and 2016 during the reign of John Dramani Mahama's
government, which supervised these transactions.
He alluded that those beating the roof tops and accusing the current administration are the very people who blatantly
sold and appropriated the state lands but have turned round to nail his government for no wrongdoing.
With regard to the Du-Bois Centre and the Achimota Forest, he stated categorically that they have not been sold.
He stated that the Parks and Gardens Lands at Cantonment were sold by a former deputy Local Government
Minister of NDC to a private developer 2016.
According to him, the sale arose as a result of the need to revamp the department with working tools, logistics, and
cars, but sadly, that wasn't realised after the sale.
The Honourable Minister gave a chronology of sale of specific lands from 1820 to 2018 when private developers
bought to redevelop into more important structures to serve the larger society.
Explaining further he said some lands at Labone, Borteyman and other places were acquired for specific purposes
but over the years those projects could not materialise so the affected lands were released and given out for other
necessary needs to private developers.
He stated that giving out state lands for better use is not bad in itself but agreed that the processes should be
transparent, fair, legal and useful for the people of the community and Ghana in general.
He challenged ANYONE who has any information of any appointee of the President who has illegally acquired any
state or public land to report such a person for prosecution.
Incidentally, those crying foul are the very guilty ones, he said.
To avoid further encroachment and grabbing of public lands, he told the gathering that the President has given the
directive to halt all public land purchases and use until further notice.
Cabinet has also issued a directive to the same effect; all aimed at checking the perceived malaise.
The Minister indicated that all the names and titles of all institutions and individuals will be published for Ghanaians
to make their own judgement, and so that Ghanaians will know who is doing what in the area of public land
grabbing.
Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP used the occasion to comprehensive clarify issues to do with state or public lands,
dismissing allegations and misinformation of state-capture, outlining measures being instituted by government to
protect public lands, enumerating some steps taken to strengthen and empower the Lands Commission to deliver on
its mandate while assuring the public of the absolute commitment by government to protect public lands.
He wastaking his turn at the Minister's Press Briefing session on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The Minister
explained in detail the situation with some state-owned lands which have become topics of public discourse recently,
disclosing that most of the agreements predate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led government.
Hon. Jinapor stated that government has remained committed to safeguarding public lands for future use and has not
engaged in or entered into agreements with any institution or person for the sale or lease of public lands.
Touching on the claims made against the government relative to the demolition of the Bulgarian Embassy in Accra,
the Minister provided historical context to the issue and stated unequivocally that the government of Ghana only
stepped in as a mediator and did not pay any money to the Bulgarian government as widely speculated.
"One of such lands is the land which hosted the Bulgarian Embassy. This land forms part of a larger parcel of land
acquired by the State in 1920 by a Certificate of Title dated 6th July 1920. The land was however granted to one
Theophilus Kofi Leighton as far back as 1977, for a term of 99 years commencing from 1st April 1974. This Lease
will expire in the year 2073. Until then, Government has no direct control over the use of the land".
"After building on the land, the said Mr. Leighton entered into a private contract with the Bulgarian Embassy and
rented the house to the Embassy for short-term."