Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has dismissed accusations by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that the Akufo-Addo administration is enabling state capture through the sale of public lands and properties, as a desperate attempt to tarnish the government's reputation.

In his recent revelations, Mr Ablakwa disclosed that certain state assets, including the DuBois Center in Accra, have been leased for 50 years to private individuals with political connections for redevelopment.

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However, Mr Jinapor has refuted these claims, vowing to prevent the misappropriation of state assets during his tenure.

Speaking on JoyNews Super Morning Show, Mr Jinapor stated, "I would be very happy to collaborate to protect the public interest if it is being compromised but to say 'this and that... state capture,' the government is looting our land and the rest, I think it is a desperate attempt to replay 2008. There was a deliberate effort by political actors at that time to create the impression that the NPP government was looting public lands and therefore, quit the indigenous people of Accra. In the end, when they came to power in 2009, what happened? What did they do?."

He called for a productive, substantive, and constructive conversation about the protection and management of the country's public lands.

Mr Jinapor clarified that records he has regarding the DuBois sale indicate that no lease has been created for that property.

However, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa maintains that state capture is a real issue that must be resisted. He highlighted concerns that occupants of Roman Ridge Flats are facing eviction by private developers.

Mr Ablakwa stated that two days ago, occupants of the Roman Ridge flats were summoned to a meeting at the Ministry of Works and Housing, where the Chief Director informed them they needed to prepare to vacate.

The North Tongu MP added that the Director explained the Accra redevelopment policy had caught up with them and that private developers would be taking over.

“It is real, we see it. Why don’t we have a national discussion on state capture and see how we stopped the dissipation of these state lands".