Ga youth call for action on Ga lands transactions

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA - The Youth for Advancement of Justice and Democracy (YAJD) have called on the Registrar of the Land Title Registry to furnish them with details of the contentious land transaction between a former Minister, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and ex-President J.A. Kufuor. They said as current revelations indicated, there are several other persons who have acquired Ga lands under similar conditions and have therefore given the Registrar up to Friday, February 13 to supply such details on the transactions.

The youth, in a release on Thursday and signed by Mr Herbert Nii Akai Nettey, President of YAJD therefore asked their lawyers to study and possibly join the said beneficiaries in the suit in connection with Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey's Ridge property.

The statement said, in the light of revelations made in the media about a list of public holders and "cronies of ex-President Kufuor, including some chiefs, we have given this ultimatum to get our lawyers to study and possibly join the said beneficiaries in the suit."

The youth warned all buyers of Ga lands to beware of such transactions and halt developments of such properties in other to save themselves and their financiers stress and wastage.

They said the stand was a necessary condition for the imminent return of Ga lands and properties as promised by President J.E.A Mills and contained in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto. "This would avert a return to the status quo and we call on other civil society groups committed to good governance such as the Alliance for Accountable Governance and Committee for Joint Action to add their voices to the call for good governance at the Traditional Council level."

The youth also called on all personalities and institutions whose names have been published in connection with the illegal sale of State lands and properties in Accra to make an open declarations of their involvement or otherwise to avoid embarrassment.

They said, "this included the Ghana@50 Secretariat, which as per the interim audit report by the Auditor General have sold Ga lands outside of their mandate, whose leadership they the (youth) are prepared to drag to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ after the expiration of the 30 days mandatory period." They said this action would be taken "if the Ghana@50 Secretariat failed to explain satisfactorily the administrative lapses and potential criminal conduct supported by a copy of the contract they, (Ghana@50) signed with the contractors who built for them and the sale and purchase agreement with those who are in our opinion 'squatters' in those mansions.'"

Seven, ready to contest Council of State in Western Region

Sekondi Feb. 6, GNA - Seven people have returned their nomination forms to the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the election to represent the Western Region on the Council of State. They are Madam Georgina Bus-Kwofie, a 74 year old retired educationist and former District Chief Executive of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) and Ahanta West District, Mr William Kojoe Thompson 80 year-old retired administrator, Mr Edward Ansah Bartey 70 year-old retired administrator and Mr Kaku Sagary Nokoe, a 59-year old lecturer.

The rest are Mr Kwabena Asante, a 59 year-old social commentator, Mr Francis Mensah, a 69-year old retired teacher and George Kofi Dadzie a 55 year- old Operations Manager.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sekondi on Thursday, Mr. Steve Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said all the applicants have the requisite qualification to be Council of State members. He advised the contestants to show up at the Electoral College on the day of the election and should not do anything that would cause violence during the election. Mr Opoku-Mensah also urged them to accept the outcome of the election since only one person would be elected for the post. 6 Feb. 09