Ministry says gov't has not paid off stool lands

Alhaji Abdulai Yakubu, Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Chief Director, says compensation for 745.272 acres of land acquired from Nungua stool by government in 1999 to construct Olympics sports complex has still not been paid.

He told the Judgment Debt Commission on Tuesday that the land was acquired with the Executive Instrument 17 (EI 17) and valued at 20 billion old Cedis (Ghc2 million) by the Land Valuation Commission of the Lands Commission.

When Counsel for the Commission, Mr. Kofi Dometi Sorkpo sought to find out whether there had been some encroachment on the land, he responded in affirmative; but added that it had not been massive.

Alhaji Yakubu also informed the Commission that the Ministry had been making efforts at approaching government but payment had still not been effected.

Nana Otieko Amoani Asare who stood in for 11 others also informed the Commission that Ghc332,306.00 compensation payment received for inundated lands along the Volta basin was applied to the benefit of the area.

He said the amount was used to invest in a water project, construction of clinic, information centre, community centre and a provision made for the construction of chief’s place.

Nana Asare told the commission that he had power of attorney for collection of the money as well as a user right over the land though it is a stool land.

The commission, however, is to subpoena one Nana Kwasi Poku who failed to appear before it.