The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued a 21-day ultimatum to all individuals who have put up illegal structures on the National Orthopedic Centre and Mental Hospital Lands to remove them with immediate effect.

In a press statement dated July 13, the Ministry said the lands have been designated by the government to be used to build and expand the Mental Hospital and National Orthopedic Center, hence, "any encroachment or trespass on such lands shall not be tolerated and or permitted."

"Article 257(1) of the Constitution of the Republic states that “All public lands in Ghana shall be vested in the President on behalf of, and in trust for, the people of Ghana. 

"The Lands Commission has therefore been mandated to manage all such public lands."

Therefore, "such individuals or groups of persons are hereby asked to stop work on the said lands, immediately, and with all sense of urgency, required to remove all the illegal structures within 21 days from the date of this notice/ release."

Failure to comply with this directive will compel the government through the Lands Commission to initiate action against perpetrators in accordance with section 236 of the Lands Act, 2020 (Act 1036). 

The Ministry further advised all and sundry, "who have encroached on public lands to desist from such practice and advise themselves before the law catches up with them."