Former Member of Parliament for Adentan, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has raised serious concerns about selling state lands to private entities, labelling it a significant source of corruption.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, August 3, Asamoa criticized the politicization of these transactions and their alleged underpricing over the years.
“The lands are sold very cheaply; access to this market has been corrupted and heavily politicized,” Asamoa emphasized, advocating for transparent pricing and sales processes to prevent abuse.
Echoing these sentiments, the independent presidential aspirant Alan Kyerematen, spokesperson, underscored the crucial need for transparency in reinvesting state lands.
“Reinvestment may be necessary, but pricing and access must be transparent,” he asserted.
In response to these claims, North Tongu lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa accused the Lands Commission of complicity in facilitating these questionable transactions.
Ablakwa pointed to instances where the Commission allegedly supported private developers over state interests in legal disputes, raising further concerns about the agency’s integrity.
Despite these accusations, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources refuted claims of favouritism in land sales under President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
In a statement, the Ministry clarified that lands under scrutiny were disposed of during the previous administration, challenging Ablakwa’s assertions as politically motivated.
“We categorically deny the allegations of state capture and assure the public of our commitment to transparent and accountable land administration,” the Ministry stated, reaffirming President Akufo-Addo’s dedication to upholding integrity in land management.
The controversy underscores the pressing need for accountability amidst ongoing tensions over the governance and transparency of land transactions in Ghana. Stakeholders are urging greater accountability amidst allegations of corruption and malpractice.
