Hon. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister of Local Government and Decentralization, has dismissed reports that the Parks and Gardens lands have been sold to a private developer, stating that no such transaction has taken place.
This comes after Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that the colonial-era green belt, a long-preserved public space in Ghana, is being sold off to a private developer, sparking controversy and outrage.
Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah announced that he is actively investigating the issue, collaborating with all relevant parties to ensure the security and protection of land titles, particularly for those whose titles are missing or untraceable at the lands commission.
“On the particular case of the Department of Parks and Garden’s lands in Cantonments, the recent claimant to the portion of the land indicated that he acquired title to the land in contention but could not produce any documentation after taking the matter to court”.
Hon. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah
The court, he explained, ultimately dismissed the case due to inadequate documentation, but granted the plaintiff leave to re-file the case with the necessary paperwork.
“Our checks however revealed that the claimant did not have any valid documentation to the land. I wish to state that the land in question has a valid Certificate of Allocation dated 2nd October 1952 to the Department of Parks and Gardens”.
Hon. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah
As such, the Minister reassured the public that the Ministry is committed to vigorously safeguarding and protecting all lands under the Department’s jurisdiction, ensuring their secure and rightful use.
He emphasized that the Ministry will vigorously prevent any unauthorized development or encroachment on the lands in question, allowing only uses that align with the original purpose for which the Government of Ghana acquired them.
He reaffirmed that the government has no plans to relinquish the land for commercial exploitation or transfer it to private ownership, instead, it is committed to preserving the land for its original intended purpose, serving the public interest, and maintaining its integrity.
He further emphasized that the land will not be utilized for any residential development or construction projects, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining the land’s original purpose and ensuring it remains dedicated to public use.
Land Certificates Confirm Government’s Ownership
Furthermore, Hon. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah revealed that the land in question has a legitimate Certificate of Allocation, issued on October 2nd, 1952, which assigns the property to the Department of Parks and Gardens, solidifying the government’s claim to the land.
The Minister also verified that the Department’s land in Wa has a valid Certificate of Allocation, dated November 27th, 1975, which has been successfully retrieved from the Lands Commission, confirming the Department’s rightful ownership of the land.
He indicated that, accordingly, the Ministry has issued formal notices to reclaim the encroached lands belonging to the Department in the Upper West Region and other areas, taking a decisive step towards recovering the occupied lands.
“The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) had in 2022, cautioned the general public to stay away from the use of the land for any private development purposes. Pursuant to the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) and its Regulations as well as the Local Governance Act, 2016 (936), green belts, gardens and parks usage cannot be altered except through Parliament”.
Hon. Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah
Hon. Korsah announced that the Ministry is collaborating closely with LUSPA to ensure that all developers and citizens comply with the necessary planning and development permits and procedures, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
He emphasized that this collaboration seeks to foster a culture of compliance, promoting sustainable and organized development, and ensuring that all construction projects align with the regulatory framework, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life in the region.
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