The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has expressed its disappointment in reports that it has contracted the services of land guards to protect its lands.
According to GAF, it has monitored with dismay, a news story alleging that it uses the services of land guards to reclaim its encroached lands.
It revealed that GAF deems as regrettable that news reports emanated from unsubstantiated allegations made by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10th July 2023. In light of this, it emphasized that the allegation which was repeated by Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North, to the media is false and should be ignored.
“It is unimaginable that GAF cannot protect its own lands but rather indulge in an illegality by relying on the services of land guards, a proscribed activity.”
Ghana Armed Forces
Furthermore, GAF assured all well-meaning Ghanaians that the allegation is false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
Accordingly, it urged the media and the public not to hesitate to contact the Department of Public Relations to clarify stories of this nature before publishing them.
“At this critical time, GAF’s focus is geared towards protecting the frontiers of our country against the downward spread of violent extremism from the Sahel Region and the least the Institution expects are issues that distract us (GAF) from focusing on protecting the country. The Ghana Armed Forces would once again assure the general public of its continuous commitment to ensuring peace and security for the socio-economic development of Ghana.”
Ghana Armed Forces
On its part, the Police Administration equally refuted the claim by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, with respect to procuring the services of land guards to reclaim and protect its lands.
Police service describes report as baseless
The Administration categorically stated that the claim is, “false, baseless and unfounded”, and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
“The Police Service has not on any occasion engaged the services of land guards to reclaim or protect its lands. In fact, on the contrary, the Service has in recent times intensified its anti-land guard operations in communities affected by the activities of these land guards and this renewed effort will not stop until perpetrators of such illegal activities are brought to justice.”
Police
Also, the police assured the public that it is working in partnership with other security agencies, and remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety and security at all times.
“… We will continue to count on the support of the good people of Ghana in this regard.”
Police
Meanwhile, a Security Analyst at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPKTC), Victor Doke, has called for an investigation into the operations of the private company that has been contracted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to reclaim and protect state lands.
He stated that it is important to know who the directors of this company are and how much has been paid to them to do the work.
“A thorough investigation is needed to know those who are behind this company and why a private company will come into this picture, also how much money has been paid to them.”
Victor Doke
It will be recalled that On Monday, July 17, 2023, Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, revealed that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Professor Patrick Agbesinyale indicated that a land guard has been contracted to protect state lands.
Following this, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources dismissed the report that a land guard has been contracted to protect state lands. It however emphasized that government and for that matter, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources do not contract the services of land guards in its operations.
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