The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, in response to recent allegations of state capture in land administration by some members of the main opposition party has lauded the Akufo-Addo-led administration for being meticulous in protecting public lands.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Mr. Jinapor defended government’s record, stating that significant measures have been implemented to safeguard public lands from encroachment, illegal acquisitions, and other threats that have plagued Ghana’s land sector for decades.
“President Akufo-Addo’s administration has not only been meticulous but also unwavering in its commitment to protecting public lands. We have put in place robust systems to ensure that these lands, which are vital national assets, are preserved for future generations,” he said.
The Minister’s comments come in the wake of accusations by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has alleged that powerful interests within government have been manipulating the system to illegally acquire public lands for private gain, claiming that government’s handling of public lands is tantamount to “state capture”, a situation where public resources are exploited by a few individuals for their personal benefit, at the expense of the nation.
The MP pointed to several instances where he claims public lands were transferred to private entities under questionable circumstances accusing the Akufo-Addo government of enabling a system where a select few are able to exploit their connections to amass vast tracts of land, undermining the public interest.
Addressing these allegations, the Lands Minister categorically denied any wrongdoing on the part of the government. He asserted that the Akufo-Addo administration has rather rather worked to safeguard public lands operating with the highest level of integrity and transparency in land management. The Minister emphasized that all land transactions conducted under this government have followed due process, with strict adherence to the laws and regulations governing public lands.
“Let me be clear, this government has not engaged in any form of state capture. Every decision we have made regarding public lands has been in the best interest of the country, and we have taken great care to ensure that these lands are protected from illegal encroachment and misuse,” he said.
Mr. Jinapor highlighted several initiatives the government has implemented to enhance the protection and management of public lands. He pointed to the digitization of land records as a significant achievement, noting that this has greatly reduced the incidence of fraudulent transactions and improved the transparency of land administration.
In addition to digitization, the Minister spoke about the establishment of a special task force dedicated to protecting public lands. This task force, he noted, has been instrumental in reclaiming lands that were previously lost to encroachers and has taken decisive action against those who attempt to illegally occupy public lands.
“We have been relentless in our efforts to reclaim and protect public lands. Through the work of the task force, we have recovered several acres of land that had been illegally occupied. This is evidence of our commitment to safeguarding these important national assets,” he added.
This the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration with traditional authorities and local communities in land management. He noted that the government has made it a priority to engage with these stakeholders, recognizing that they play a crucial role in the protection of public lands.
He also called on the Judiciary to expedite land-related cases, emphasizing that swift and decisive legal action is crucial for maintaining the integrity of public lands.
The press briefing was attended by key stakeholders in the land sector, including representatives from the Lands Commission and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
