Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, bravely expressed his disappointment in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for failing to address what he described as the capture of state lands by some of his appointees.
During an appearance on TV3’s Key Points program on Saturday, Ablakwa asserted that the President, as the custodian of state lands, is responsible for safeguarding them on behalf of the people.
“I am disappointed in the president because he should be accounting for the lands he is holding in trust for the people,” he remarked.
Ablakwa accused the Lands Commission of being complicit in selling state lands, citing alleged support from a private developer in a legal dispute with the Ghana Prison Service over the Borstal homelands, which are residential areas for young offenders under the care of the Ghana Prison Service.
“Instead of aligning with the Ghana Prison Service, they have gone to court to support the private person,” he stated, labelling the Lands Commission’s actions as complicit.
These statements come despite the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources refuting Ablakwa’s claims of government involvement in selling state lands to associates. The Ministry stated that the lands under scrutiny were sold during the previous administration, not under President Akufo-Addo’s tenure, and emphasized the President’s commitment to transparent and accountable land administration.
In a press statement, the Ministry clarified that lands under scrutiny were sold during the previous administration, not under President Akufo-Addo’s tenure.
The Ministry emphasized President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to transparent and accountable land administration, reassuring the public, “The allegations of state capture are false.”
They affirmed ongoing efforts to ensure integrity in land administration and invited the public to dismiss what they described as politically motivated allegations, encouraging the public to critically evaluate such claims.
Ablakwa has been vocal about issues related to the sale of state lands, including claims about properties housing judges are being sold, prompting them to vacate premises. His criticisms highlight ongoing scrutiny over land management practices in Ghana.
