The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Suleman, says a committee of enquiry has been established to investigate the sale of state lands by previous regimes.

According to the Ministry, school lands, particularly the sale of lands of State Experimental Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis, are a priority.

Alhaji Suleman stated that the government is resolved to end the unauthorised sale of state lands to private developments.

“The President has set up a committee to investigate all government lands that were sold, and thank God, I am the one chairing the committee. I can assure you that we will get results,” he said.

He emphasised, “Lands that were sold under certain circumstances that did not bring value for money, we will not accept them.”

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Ashanti Regional Board Members of the Lands Commission.

In the Ashanti Region, four hundred acres of state lands were released to the Asantehene following the issuance of Executive Instrument 432 of 2021 for the redevelopment of sector 18 of Kumasi.

In the execution of the Executive Instrument, the state bungalows affected were to the relocated, as privately-owned properties were maintained.

The Ghana Water Company Limited, for over a week, was in dispute with a private developer over a bungalow allocated to the developer.

Aside from this incident, some lands within the area became a subject of controversy.

The State Experimental Basic Schools, located within Nhyiaeso, a prime area in Kumasi, have become a target of private development.

According to the headmistress, Joana Anokyewaa, “encroachment of the school lands by squatters continue to be a challenge and we therefore appeal to KMA to complete the fencing of our school.”

The government’s committee has already taken notice of the challenge in the school and has commenced investigations into the matter. The Deputy Minister expressed disappointment over the incident.

“President has set up a committee to investigate the sale of government lands. State Experimental lands high on the agenda,” he said.

The government has commenced efforts to digitalise land administration in the country. It is part of efforts to transform land administration.

According to the Deputy Minister, the government will need about 165 million dollars for the purpose. Already, the Ministry has commenced engagement of the private sector in search of investment for the project. With this system, issues of double sales of land and land guards will be reduced.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has commended the Asantehene for the establishment of the Asantehene Land Secretariat to assist in the administration of land activities.

He stated that there is a need for other jurisdictions to emulate this to deal with land disputes in the country.

Forty-three of 50 people expected to be on the board of the Regional Lands Commission were sworn into office in Kumasi. These are people who are authorised by law to be a part of the institution.

Persons from some professional groups and members of all the assemblies in the Region were admitted to the board. The Deputy Minister entreated the members to eschew self-interest in their new roles.

“Please put aside your self-interest, demonstrate patriotism, serve Ghana, and Ghana will serve you,” he said.

The Deputy Minister added, “You and I know that people who looted the country for their children didn’t end in any good.”