Multiple claims of land delay compensation

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - Government on Tuesday said the multiple claims of ownership on lands it acquired might delay the current inventory process, and the time for the payment of compensation to the rightful owners.

Madam Theresa Ameley Tagoe, Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry told the GNA that the situation had resulted in claims and counter claims by traditional landowners but government would only take a decisive decision based on the recommendations of the inventory report. The report of the nation-wide inventory, which is at its early stage of reviewing existing data on land, would be completed in the next two to three years.

Speaking at a day's workshop with Traditional Authorities from the Greater Accra Region and some stakeholders in land administration and management, the Deputy Minister said under the Land Administration Project (LAP), capacity of traditional authorities would be enhanced to manage lands to make it easily available for all manner of development and investment activities.

She said the project would, in no way alter the traditional and customary laws and practices but that land rights of all citizens would be recognized and recorded to ensure protection for future generations. Mrs. Tagoe said due to the commitment and exemplary leadership of the people of Asere, in the Ga Traditional Area, the Gbawe Kwatei family has been chosen for the pilot project, which would soon commence. The first phase of the funding agreement had also been signed with World Bank, she said.

She said the recruitment of landgaurds by some customary leaders has become a great source of worry to government,adding, "If this is the true situation on the ground, it is a great disservice to your communities".

The Deputy Minister said though government was doing its best to resolve the problems, the ultimate success effort rested with the chiefs' optimum cooperation because most of the challenges ought to be addressed by them.

"How can we be blessed with abundant resources and yet find ourselves in this state of affairs," she asked.

Welcoming the participants, Sheik I C Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister called for a review of the current process of land acquisition because they were cumbersome.

As part of the solutions, he said there was the need to improve the institutional capacities to make them vibrant to carry out the duties effectively and efficiently without compromise.

Sheik Quaye also mentioned land administration and management as the major challenge confronting the Regional Coordinating Council. These have resulted in multiples sales of land creating room for recruitment of land guards, resulting in hostilities among families and clans.

Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City in a speech read for him, enumerated a number of tourist attractions in the region and said the involvement of the chiefs and the private sector was crucial in achieving the greatest benefit from those sites.

He said the strategy that must be adopted to achieve the Ministry's goals in the tourism sector hinged largely on the chiefs and the private sector.

Nii Tetteh Out II, President of the Greater Accra Traditional House of Chiefs, who chaired the workshop mentioned the absence of clear land demarcation, land administration and failure of governments to pay compensation for lands acquired years ago as the three main concerns in the region.

On behalf of the chiefs, he pledged their commitment to government's task to streamline land administration and management and also called on government to expedite action on the payment of compensation, which, he said must be looked into seriously.