Your directive against sales of public lands confirms state capture revelations – Minority to Akufo-Addo

The Minority in Parliament has described as hopeless a directive from President Akufo-Addo against any sale of state lands without his authorization.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, during his meet-the-press encounter, revealed that a cabinet directive has been issued against the sale of state lands.

Mr. Jinapor also assured that all state lands are intact, contrary to state capture claims.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, argued that the directive only confirms the state capture revelations by the Minority.

The North Tongu MP cited the findings of a sole commissioner on state lands, Justice Ofori-Atta’s report, which indicts some government officials to buttress his point.

Mr. Ablakwa consequently demanded the publication of a detailed report on the sale of state lands, arguing that the cabinet directive does not address the problem.

“We are also losing the process. At least, even if we know that these are public lands and you sell them at market value, at competitive rates, and those proceeds come into the national coffers, at least we can use those resources to build hospitals, provide potable water, or assist with educational projects.

“There are so many things that this country needs urgently that proceeds from these public lands, even if they should be sold, can come to us. But this is the revelation contained in this commission’s report that we are losing on all fronts. So these lands are being sold. They have been registered as private lands, and we are not getting the proceeds,” Mr. Ablakwa said.

He continued: “So individuals, miscreants in the system, collaborating with unscrupulous elements in government, are selling public lands as private lands and pocketing the money. The money is not coming to the national kitty. That is how terrible this situation is. So we want to renew our demand on this government that before the close of the year, we will insist on receiving the full list of public lands vested in the care of the president on our behalf because these lands belong to us.”