The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and the Ministry of Roads and Highways have agreed to strengthen collaboration in the assessment and payment of compensation to persons whose properties are affected by road projects.
The agreement followed a meeting between the leadership of the GhIS and the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, to discuss concerns surrounding compensation claims prepared in connection with some road projects.
In a statement issued by the GhIS and signed by its President, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold, on Monday, the minister outlined concerns regarding aspects of compensation claims and their assessment.
The GhIS said the meeting drew attention to systemic challenges affecting the process, including delays in acquisition procedures, inadequate stakeholder engagement, inconsistencies in assessment and documentation, and prolonged delays in paying compensation to affected persons.
The institution also noted that statutory procedures governing compulsory acquisition and compensation had not always been applied consistently by all parties, contributing to some of the challenges confronting the process.
As part of efforts to address the concerns, the GhIS and the ministry agreed to continue their engagement through a structured technical process aimed at improving the administration of compensation arising from road projects.
The technical engagement would focus on reviewing the compensation process, improving the exchange of relevant information and valuation documentation, strengthening stakeholder consultation and promoting compliance with the 1992 Constitution, the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), and recognised professional valuation standards.
The GhIS said a transparent, consistent and professionally grounded compensation process was essential to protecting the rights of persons whose properties were affected by public infrastructure projects, while also safeguarding value for money for the state.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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