Mahama’s ban on state lands lawful, aimed at sanitizing acquisition process — Haruna Iddrisu

Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has justified President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of the sale and lease of public lands.

President Mahama, in a letter dated January 10, 2025, instructed the Lands Commission to suspend all processes related to the sale, lease, or allocation of state lands.

The Tamale South MP described the directive as a lawful and necessary intervention to restore sanity to Ghana’s land administration system.

“The President acted lawfully within his mandate in order to sanitize the acquisition of lands in Ghana and to stop the looting of public lands in the name of public influence. So he has accordingly directed that no minister under his watch, should be associated with the acquisition of any public lands,” the minister said.

His defense comes after the Minority caucus in Parliament raised concerns that the directive could cripple private sector growth and deprive the Lands Commission of critical revenue.

Subin MP Kofi Obiri Yeboah argued that the policy, though well-intentioned, risks affecting individuals and businesses with legitimate interests in state lands.

But responding on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, July 15, Mr. Iddrisu insisted the directive was within the President’s constitutional powers and targeted at preventing the looting of state property.

“His target is to the looters of land in the name of influence. How can you acquire a school building or a school land for purpose of acquiring public land? You go and take a school building, even where children should be playing football,” he stressed.