PRESIDENT JOHN John Dramani Mahama has directed the Lands Commission to immediately halt all sales, leases, and processing of transactions involving state and public lands.
This decisive action aims to protect public lands for the benefit of current and future generations and to address growing concerns over the management and allocation of these assets.
In a formal communication dated January 10, 2025, signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, the directive mandates the suspension of all ongoing and pending transactions involving state and public lands.
The Lands Commission is also instructed to submit a detailed report of all recent and ongoing transactions concerning these lands to the Office of the President within 14 days.
This move aligns with President Mahama’s commitment to reclaim improperly acquired state assets, a promise that resonated with many voters during the 2024 elections.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Mahama iterated the need to investigate and reclaim state properties allegedly sold under questionable circumstances during the previous administration.
The issue of public land misuse has been at the forefront of political discourse in recent years. Allegations have emerged that public lands were being allocated to private individuals, including family members of top officials, for personal gain.
Notably, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that portions of public land in Accra had been allocated to close associates of the former president for private commercial ventures.
In a related development, President Mahama has also ordered the immediate cancellation of all land allocations and sales involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the previous government.
This directive aims to reclaim the Ministry’s adjoining land at Airport Residential Area, which had been claimed by seven organizations and individuals.
The immediate halt of state land transactions and the reversal of questionable land sales underscore the Mahama administration’s intent to fulfill its asset recovery agenda and improve transparency and accountability in land administration.
While the specifics of the review process remain to be detailed, analysts believe that previous transactions involving state lands will likely come under scrutiny.
President Mahama’s actions signal a strong commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring that public lands serve the collective good rather than individual interests.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
