The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development has ordered an immediate seizure of further development of a parcel of land belonging to the Department of Parks and Gardens. According to a letter dated July 5, 2024, the ministry directed that the private developer should halt further works on the land under investigation.
It stated “ Information reaching the ministry indicates that the Department of Parks and Garden’s land at Wa in the Upper West region has been allocated to a private developer for use as a fuel filling station.
Whilst the Ministry takes steps to investigate the matter of the encroachment of the Department of Parks and Gardens land by a private developer for the use as a fuel filling station, the Hon Minister has directed that you halt any development on the land until further notice”
In a separate letter, the ministry made an urgent request to the Regional Manager of the Lands Commission regarding the allocation of the said land.
The Ministry has requested all relevant documentation and approvals related to the allocation to facilitate an investigation into the matter.
The letter highlighted that the issue has garnered parliamentary interest, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in the allocation process.
The Ministry has set a deadline of July 8, 2024, for the submission of the requested documents to ensure a timely review and response to the parliamentary inquiry.
“We count on your usual cooperation in this regard,” the Ministry stated, emphasizing the importance of the matter and the need for prompt action from the Lands Commission.
The allocation of public land to private developers has been a contentious issue in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, due process, and the protection of public assets.
The Ministry’s investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the allocation and ensure that proper procedures were followed.
As the situation develops, the Ministry is expected to provide updates on the findings of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken to address the concerns raised.
