The Minority in Parliament is calling for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of Lands Commission officers implicated in the illegal allocation of government lands in the Northern Region.
This demand comes in response to revelations that multiple plots of land were leased without proper authorization, raising serious concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the Lands Commission.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, voiced the Minority’s outrage during a press briefing on Tuesday, September 3. He emphasized the urgency of taking swift and decisive action against those responsible for these unlawful activities.
“The illegal allocation of lands not only undermines public trust but also jeopardizes national resources that should benefit all Ghanaians,” Suhuyini stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The Minority is also urging the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to disclose the full list of lands that were illegally leased, along with the names of the individuals and entities involved. Suhuyini stressed that transparency is crucial for recovering the lands and holding those behind the illegal transactions accountable.
“Without full disclosure, the public would remain in the dark about the extent of the corruption and who stands to benefit,” he argued.
The Minority is not only seeking the immediate dismissal of the officers involved but also pushing for their prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others within the Lands Commission and other public institutions. Suhuyini stressed that stringent legal action is necessary to send a strong message that corruption and illegal activities will not be tolerated.
“We therefore demand the swift dismissal and criminal investigation of the officials involved in allocating the said leases without the approval of the President,” Suhuyini declared.
He also called on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to publish the full report of the three-member committee set up by the ministry to investigate the transfer of public lands in the Northern Region.
“Finally, we expect the Minister to furnish us, Parliament, and the good people of Ghana, with the list of affected Northern Region lands which leases were criminally allocated and which the President has directed be reversed,” Suhuyini demanded.
The Minority’s call for action highlights the ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability within public institutions, particularly in the management of national resources like land. As the situation unfolds, there is growing pressure on the government to take decisive action against those involved in these illegal activities.