Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, has weighed in on the Land Commission’s response to the Cantonment and Asaase Broadcasting Company land controversy.
Hon. Ablakwa argues that the Lands Commission’s response effectively asks the public to question the accuracy of the Judicial Service’s records.
He noted that by doing so, the Lands Commission implies that the Judicial Service, which is responsible for managing the bungalows, does not have reliable information on which judges occupy these properties.
“[Effectively, the Lands Commission wants us to believe that] The Judicial Service of Ghana went to court with wrong, baseless, and misleading facts when it stated that Number 7, 5th Circular at Cantonments where Asaase Radio operates from was once occupied by Justice F. G. Korbie”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa pointed out that the Lands Commission expects the public to accept that the site plans provided by the Judicial Service for Number 7, 5th Circular Road, Cantonments led them to a different location.
However, he noted that the Lands Commission’s failure to attach the said site plan to their statement raises further suspicions about their intentions, as it prevents scrutiny and verification of their claim.
Ablakwa highlighted a glaring contradiction, noting that while the Lands Commission attributes the dispute to “grave errors” and “fundamental mistakes” by the Judicial Service, they are not taking legal action against them.
Instead, the Lands Commission, along with other government agencies, is seeking an amicable settlement with the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service, which Ablakwa finds puzzling given the severity of the alleged errors.
According to the North Tongu MP, this inconsistency raises serious questions about the Lands Commission’s motivations.
Specifically, it casts doubt on the necessity of the Land Commission’s vigorous defense of Asaase Broadcasting in the ongoing land controversy, suggesting that their actions may be driven by ulterior motives.
Lands Commission’s Double Standard Exposed
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa pointed out that the Lands Commission’s selective approach to defending Asaase Broadcasting, owned by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, against State Capture allegations raises eyebrows.
Hon. Ablakwa noted that the Lands Commission has conspicuously ignored similar State Capture allegations against over 15 other high-profile politically exposed persons during the same period.
This selective inaction, he indicated, raises serious concerns about the Commission’s impartiality and motives, casting a shadow over their integrity.
“I conclude with an anecdotal observation: we take judicial notice as parliamentarians that the same Lands Commission, which has refused to provide Parliament with a report on the sale of public lands and the state of public lands in Ghana since we made the demand as far back in February 2022, suddenly appears able to marshal all efforts, exhibit apparent industry and even provide historical records in the defence of a single powerful politically exposed person”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa further suggested that he hopes the Commission’s vigorous defense of Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is not solely due to his perceived proximity to power or “prime ministerial status”.
As such, he implied that the Commission’s protection should be based on the merits of each case, not on the individual’s political influence or connections, suggesting that favoritism has no place in their decision-making process.
Hon. Ablakwa sounded an ominous note, cautioning that ” The day of reckoning is fast approaching”, stressing that those found guilty of state capture will soon face the consequences of their actions.
He vowed that the crusade against State Capture will press on, and in the end, the collective power of the Ghanaian people would emerge victorious, ensuring that their rights and interests are protected.
The astute MP passionately declared that the fight against state capture is a sacred duty, “For God and Country,” underscoring that Ghana’s interests must be paramount, with the nation’s well-being placed above all else.
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