President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to investigate the compulsory acquisition of lands by government with the possibility of returning some to their rightful owners.
“Let me also indicate to you my commitment to establishing a Committee, God willing, early next year, to take a comprehensive look at the issue to do with the compulsory acquisition of lands by Government, its consequences and the possible restoration of lands to their allodial owners”, he told Ga chiefs.
President Akufo-Addo announced this yesterday when he addressed the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, as part of his tour of the region.
According to him, “the Committee will make appropriate recommendations for the decision of government. With a few weeks to the holding of the elections, the setting up of this Committee this year may not be feasible.”
However, as a sign of his commitment to this, President Akufo-Addo tasked the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs “to begin stakeholder consultations with the House, so an agreement can be reached on the composition of this Committee and its Terms of Reference.”
He reassured the House that his government will continue to support the Chieftaincy institution so it can be strong and resilient, indicating that six new office complex and bungalows would be provided the six newly constituted Regional Houses of Chiefs.
“Additionally, as I have said, we would strive to give to the institution the requisite support to resolve chieftaincy matters, and carry out research in the many areas of relevance to curb chieftaincy related conflicts,” he stressed.
With five weeks to the holding of the December 7 elections, President Akufo-Addo assured the House of the wholehearted efforts that are being made by government to guarantee the peace and stability of the nation.
“Ghana has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the continent, a reputation I am determined to uphold, and, indeed, enhance prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.
“I would need, of course, your full collaboration and co-operation to help attain this end. We cannot afford a repetition of the deplorable events that took place recently at Odododiodoo. We have all to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right”, President Akufo-Addo added.
Development projects
As part of Government’s Agenda 111, which seeks to build District Hospitals in Districts without hospitals, President Akufo-Addo told the House that, in the course of the next 12 months, government will construct District Hospitals in the districts without them in the Greater Accra Region.
