Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has expressed strong criticism of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, following his recent challenge for the public to provide evidence of any government official’s involvement in the illegal acquisition of state lands.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, August 14, on the ‘State of Ghana’s Public Lands,’ the lands minister assured that any evidence provided would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions, including prosecutions, would be taken.
But the North Tongu MP in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on the Eyewitness News on Citi FM, raised concerns about the minister’s handling of the issue, specifically referencing the Justice Ofiri Atta Commission report.
He accused the minister of being dishonest and not accountable in managing public lands, which are held in trust for the citizens of Ghana.
“When the lands minister says that he is challenging anybody and anybody should prove who in this government has benefitted from this state capture going on, hasn’t he read the Justice Ofiri Atta Commission report, why is he hiding those portions of the report from the Ghanaian people?
“You see when ministers of state who are to serve us and as lands minister, under the constitution of this country, you are to help the president. You are the land policy advisor, land invested under Article 257 in the president for and on behalf of the Ghanaian people, we are the true owners of these public lands and if the people who are holding these lands in trust for us cannot be truthful to us, cannot be candid, then we are very very big trouble,” he stated.
