North Tongu lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has challenged Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor to address the ongoing issue of state land loss, regardless of when it began.
Ablakwa emphasized the importance of a nationalistic approach to resolving the matter, even if land sales started during the Rawlings administration.
Jinapor recently refuted allegations that lands belonging to the judiciary were sold under the current Akufo-Addo administration, asserting that these transactions occurred under President Mahama in 2016.
In a press conference on August 14, Jinapor stated that his approach to addressing allegations involves thoroughly assembling facts before making decisions.
He assured that if evidence of fraud or impropriety in land grants is found, the government will take steps to address it, though he noted that legal processes govern the cancellation of leases.
In response, Ablakwa criticized Jinapor’s stance as disingenuous and misleading. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on August 16, Ablakwa accused the Minister of attempting to shift the focus away from the current administration.
“Even if we started losing state lands 20 years ago, whether under Rawlings or Kufuor, is the Minister saying we shouldn’t be concerned? We need to adopt a patriotic attitude towards national issues and focus on the future of our country,” Ablakwa said.
Ablakwa’s comments underscore his call for a more proactive and responsible approach to managing and addressing the issues related to state land losses.
