?Land transactions must be transparent?

The Administrator of Stool Lands, Mrs. Matilda Fiadzigbey, has called on chiefs to make land transactions including revenue accruing from them, known to their elders and subjects.

She also asked them to keep records to ensure accountability, facilitate auditing and run separate accounts for themselves and the traditional councils .

Mrs. Fiadzigbey was speaking at a seminar for chiefs and elders drawn from the Tema, Nungua and Kpone traditional areas organised by the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) as part of this year's Homowo celebration.

Speaking on the effects of chieftaincy dispute on land development, she said land disputes make it difficult for investors to acquire land adding that they make such places "no go areas" for investors, leading to the under development of such areas.

Mr. George Tachie-Mensah, Technical Director of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, expressed government?s concern about the activities of land guards.

He said while recognising the individual's fundamental right to defend his property, government would not sit down unconcerned while so much insecurity is created because of the activities of land guards.

Mr. Tachie-Mensah urged chiefs to examine the source of the problem and take measures to remove the phenomenon.

He warned that if solutions are not found, government would be compelled to take-over the management of those lands in trust for the owners.

Mr. Ebenezer T. Ayi-Bonte, Managing Director of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) stressed the need for some level of government intervention in acquiring lands for institutional use and national development such as for reserves, green belts, security zones and airports.

He called for proper planning and layouts to make provision for community projects such as schools, markets and open spaces.

Mr. Ayi-Bonte said the execution of community projects should be done in consultation with chiefs to give them a fuller understanding to enable them to protect such lands