NDC surprisingly accusing Akufo-Addo gov’t of state capture over lands sold during their tenure — Abu Jinapor

Government has expressed surprise at accusations of alleged state capture in the sales and management of public lands by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), when some of the cited cases occurred during the opposition party's time in office.

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, August 14, Lands Minister Samuel Jinapor said it is "disingenuous" for the NDC to level such claims against the current administration when records showed they were responsible for transactions now being portrayed as evidence of wrongdoing under the NPP.

"Indeed, the evidence shows that the allegations of state capture and the narrative that this Government is indiscriminately selling public lands, are all palpably false, without merit, and, obviously, actuated by political considerations given that we are nearing elections," Abu Jinapor stated.

He provided clear examples where lands cited by the NDC - such as the Cantonments Parks and Gardens land and Judicial Service bungalows in Cantonments - were in fact leased or sold during the Mahama administration but were now being blamed on Akufo-Addo.

On the Parks and Gardens land, Jinapor noted: "This land was, however, leased to Wontirim Company Limited on 29th November, 2016, long before the current Government came to power. And those who were in power when the land was leased in 2016 have turned around to falsely accuse the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government of selling this land."

Similarly, he revealed that the "bungalows in question, were, however, sold as far back as 13th July, 2015 to Frimps Oil Company Ltd., following an approval granted by the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Nii Osah Mills, on 2nd June, 2015."

The Lands Minister promised to always set the records straight on all such misleading claims, reiterating that the Akufo-Addo government remains firmly committed to protecting public lands for the benefit of Ghanaians.