The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has categorically refuted the recent claims made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
According to Mr Ablakwa, the government allegedly owes GH¢5.3 million in compensation to the Bulgarian Embassy.
In a statement released on Thursday, July 18, the Ministry dismissed Ablakwa’s assertions as entirely baseless and misleading.
The statement clarified that there is no financial obligation on the part of the government towards the Bulgarian Embassy.
Mr. Ablakwa had previously alleged that the government was set to compensate the Bulgarian government with GH¢5,383,000 due to the demolition of its embassy in 2017.
He stated that this compensation amount was determined by the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission last year and warned that the figure could increase significantly because of the depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.
Contrary to these claims, the Lands Ministry insisted that the government’s position remains unequivocal: no compensation is owed to the Bulgarian Embassy. The Ministry highlighted that the recommended payment was to be made by Jojo Hagan, who was responsible for ordering the demolition.
“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has, again, been drawn to allegations by the Hon. Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the effect that Government is supposed to pay the Bulgarian Embassy an amount of Five Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS5,383,000.00) for demolishing their building.”
The Ministry further clarified: “A cursory reading of the Executive Summary of the Report of the Sole Inquirer appointed to investigate the matter, which was published in a Press Release issued on 16th May 2022, and the documents attached to the Hon. Member’s post, will show that this allegation is false, and without basis.”
The Ministry emphasized its commitment to transparency and the dissemination of accurate information. It assured both the public and the diplomatic community that Ghana adheres to international standards in its dealings with foreign missions and embassies.
The Ministry also stressed that any grievances or claims by foreign embassies are addressed through appropriate legal and diplomatic channels, ensuring that misinformation does not mislead the public.