In a decisive move to safeguard state lands, President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive reversing all allocations and sales of land belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the previous government.
The decision, announced by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, underscores the government’s commitment to preventing unauthorized privatization of state assets.
“I am enormously grateful to President Mahama for his unwavering patriotic and decisive presidential backing. Under my watch as Foreign Minister, no land or property of the Ministry, located either at home or abroad, would be sold. No more state capture! For God and country. Ghana First.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
The directive follows Hon. Ablakwa’s earlier pledge to halt unauthorized sales and encroachments on lands designated for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
His commitment came in response to recent revelations that significant portions of land adjacent to the MFA had been illicitly sold or allocated under questionable circumstances.
Hon. Ablakwa expressed deep concern upon discovering that lands surrounding the Ministry had been transferred to various individuals and entities without proper authorization.
He earlier disclosed that more concerning, some of these claimants included foreign interests, a development that raises significant national security concerns. “We’ve had to send a strongly worded message to all of them that nobody does that,” Hon. Ablakwa asserted.
He emphasized that allowing unauthorized entities, especially foreign ones, to establish premises near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without proper vetting and authorization posed serious security risks.
The sale of government-owned lands has long been a contentious issue in Ghana. In recent years, concerns have mounted over the encroachment and alleged improper allocations of state lands, particularly in prime areas such as Airport Residential.
Reports indicate that under the previous administration, several parcels of land, originally designated for government institutions were either sold or allocated to private individuals and organizations.
This trend has sparked outrage among civil society groups, security analysts, and political figures who argue that the sale of such lands compromises national security and limits the state’s ability to expand critical infrastructure.
Implication of Presidential Directives
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the presidential directive specifically cancels the sale of the Ministry’s adjoining land at Airport Residential Area, which had been reportedly acquired by seven organizations and individuals.
The move is expected to preserve the land for public use and prevent what the Minister described as an alarming trend of state capture.
With President Mahama’s intervention, the lands in question will now revert to the state, ensuring that they remain within the government’s control for the benefit of Ghanaians.
By taking swift action to reclaim these lands, the government is signaling its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of national interests.
The Minister’s assurance that no property of the MFA, either in Ghana or abroad, will be sold under his watch further reinforces the administration’s determination to curb state capture and the unauthorized privatization of public assets.
Hon. Ablakwa also indicated that the government remains committed to pursuing legal and administrative actions where necessary.
The broader implications of this decision also highlight the need for stricter oversight and transparency in the management of government-owned lands.
