Why Jake Obetsebi Lamptey bought state house he occupied while serving as minister in Kufuor's government

One of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s claims to fame in his anti-corruption and anti-state capture crusade is his battle with the late Ghanaian minister, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, over his attempt to purchase a state-owned property.

The case, which Okudzeto Ablakwa pursued to the Supreme Court level, ended with him losing it but gave him leverage, which he has built on to become a reference point for anti-corruption and anti-state capture crusaders in the country.

On Friday, August 2, 2024, Nana Akomea, the Managing Director of the State Transport Company and a protégé of Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, revealed to Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghanaians the circumstances under which Jake Obetsebi Lamptey bought the state house he lived in.

Nana Akomea explained that Jake Obetsebi Lamptey lived in the house during his tenure as minister of three portfolios, including Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Minister for Presidential Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Modernization.

Following the end of the Kufuor administration, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who was preparing to exit the house that had served as his official residence, was notified of plans to sell the land and the four-bedroom house on it.

According to Nana Akomea, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey took up the offer and purchased the house, a move which incurred the wrath of Ablakwa at the time.

“Sammy (referring to Okudzeto Ablakwa), you mentioned my boss, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey’s land, and it shows you the dilemma of the policy. The Accra Redevelopment Policy. Jake was living there officially as a Minister of State. That land was about 2 acres minimum, and there’s this four-bedroom story building sitting in the middle.

“When Jake was leaving there, he got notice that the place was going to be sold. Jake heard that the house was going to be sold and made an offer to buy it. If he didn’t buy and left, it was going to be sold to someone else,” he said.

EK