A Public Lands Protection Team has been inaugurated in Accra with a task to stop encroachment and stealing of public lands.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, who inaugurated the team yesterday, highlighted the perennial challenges that have engulfed public lands and asked them to explore ways to effectively deal with the canker.
“The public lands continue to be the property of the Ghanaian people which is vested in the President.
The duty to protect this land is one that requires fidelity and outmost care and I trust that you will discharge it as expected,” he added.
The Minister reiterated government’s resolve to tackle the age-long challenge and ensure judicious use of national resources.
He said that the government has a non-negotiable stance on protecting public lands adding that it was ready to commit the needed resources to protect the resource.
Mr Jinapor reiterated President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive banning all agencies from dealing in, granting or allocating public lands without the express authorisation of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the President.
He explained that the set up of the team was not to hijack the role of the Lands Commission but rather provide another venue for dealing specifically with encroachment on public lands.
“The work of the team is not in any way to conflict the mandate of the Lands Commission but to play a complimentary role in the safe guarding of public lands.”
The Chairman of the team, Benito Owusu-Bio, who is also the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Forestry, on behalf of other members, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the trust reposed in them.
He pledged that the team would work hand in hand with the Lands Commission to ensure the protection of public lands for the good of the country.
“We will work hand in hand with the Lands Commission to ensure the protection of public lands for the good of the country. We can assure you of our commitment to work,” he added.
BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS