The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honorable Mireku Duker, has urged the Western Regional Land Commission members to use their expertise to help improve the country’s land administration.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 20-member Western Regional Lands Commission,;he called on the members to bring on board their diverse professional expertise and experience to help Government achieve its agenda in the Land sector.
The minister further reiterated that the inauguration forms part of Government’s initiatives to decentralize;the Lands Commission and its related activities.
The Honorable Deputy Minister used the platform to also thank members of the immediate past Regional Lands Commission;for their dedicated service to the Region.
The deputy minister mentioned that the vast natural resources of this;Region has made it a very attractive investment destination, stressing that prospective investors particularly in the mining,; timber, cocoa, rubber and oil palm sector have been trooping the region to acquire lands among other things.
“The discovery of oil in commercial quantities has ignited a renewed interest in the Region. This has resulted in a plethora of litigation in several communities and many are currently pending at different courts in the Region.”
Mireku Duker
‘Galamsey’ worrying farmers
The deputy minister also bemoaned the Galamsey menace in the region and indicated that it has become a worry and has also put the farmers at disadvantage.
“Many farmers and land owners are coerced to cede off their land for illegal mining of precious minerals. This has led to the wanton destruction of our forest reserve”.
Mireku Duker
He therefore tasked members of the Regional Lands Commission;to help find practical measures to mitigate these problems by collaborating with relevant government agencies and land owners.
“I therefore urge you to see your appointment as a challenge and work with;the needed zeal and commitment to help transform the Region into a business hub creating jobs and opportunities for its inhabitants.”
Mireku Duker
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the reconstituted Western Regional Lands Commission, Dr. Isaac Obirim Kofi Sageo,;expressed his appreciation and that of his colleagues to the;government for the honor done them and pledged their unwavering commitment to make Western Region Land administration a success.
“We are quite a strong team and we shall not disappoint but deliver on our mandate.”
Mireku Duker
Western North lands commission inaugurated
Prior to this inauguration, the ministry also inaugurated 16- Member Western North Regional Lands Commission.
At the inauguration, he stated that it was the expectation of the ministry that the Newly sworn in members will put in their maximum effort to ensure that the needed reforms in the land administration arena is executed to boost public confidence in the Lands Commission in particular and the land sector as a whole.
He also acknowledged the hard work, dedication and passion with which the previous Commission under the Western Region steered the affairs of the Regional Lands Commission, which yielded numerous results for the region and beyond.
The Chairman of the new Commission, Honorable Owusu Agyapong, also expressed his appreciation to the deputy minister and the government for the opportunity given them to serve stressing that they will work to justify the confidence repose in them and discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism.
