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Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has cautioned against politicizing the issue of state land sales, emphasizing that it is a systemic problem that the Akufo-Addo government is diligently addressing. Jinapor revealed that he possesses extensive documentation showing that significant amounts of land were sold under various administrations, including that of former President John Mahama.
Speaking on Multimedia’s current affairs show, Newsfile, on July 20, 2024, Jinapor stressed that focusing on which presidency sold specific pieces of land would be a futile exercise in political point-scoring. He stated:
“We lose the benefit of the discussion if we situate it in a narrow, self-serving political context. We will lose it. Samson, it will just be an exercise in futility. It’ll not be productive. We will begin to say that the Akufo-Addo Government sold this and sold that and therefore the Akufo-Addo Government is engaged in state capture…It will not help us.”
Jinapor listed various locations in Accra, such as Cantonments, Ridge, Roman Ridge, Airport, and Labone, where land sales have occurred under multiple administrations, including those of Presidents Mahama, Kufuor, Mills, and Rawlings. He highlighted the counterproductive nature of finger-pointing in this context.
North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been vocal about exposing the purchase of government assets, particularly lands, by politicians and influential individuals, accusing the Akufo-Addo administration of state capture. In response, Jinapor refuted these claims, asserting that the current administration is committed to resolving this long-standing issue.