The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strongly refuted claims that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration is selling state lands to cronies.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, August 14, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, dismissed the allegations as baseless and surprising. The accusations, which surfaced in a recent report, claimed that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration is selling state lands to cronies.
Jinapor addressed specific concerns about properties such as a parcel of land at Cantonment and the W.E.B. DuBois Centre, clarifying that the current government did not sell these lands.
He expressed disbelief at the accusations and pointed out inconsistencies in the claims.
Jinapor explained that the Cantonment bungalows were sold to Frimps Oil Company Limited on July 13, 2015, following approval from the then-Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills.
He noted that it was perplexing for those involved in the original sale to now accuse the Akufo-Addo administration of state capture.
Concerning the W.E.B. DuBois Centre, Jinapor referred to a detailed press release dated July 16, 2024, which was issued by the Lands Commission, the body responsible for managing public lands and maintaining records of land transactions. The press release stated that the Lands Commission has no pending application for the transfer of this land, thereby refuting the allegations.
He emphasized that the land remains in the DuBois Centre’s ownership.
Jinapor characterized the allegations of state capture and indiscriminate land sales as false and politically motivated, given the current heated political climate, to provide clarity and certainty to the public.
“The Akufo-Addo government has been meticulous in safeguarding public lands in the public interest,” Jinapor affirmed, defending the administration’s record on land management and instilling confidence in the public.
