The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a 20-member Greater Accra Public Lands Protection Taskforce to clamp down on encroachment and unlawful occupation of state lands in the region.
The task force, inaugurated in Accra on Thursday, is made up of officials from the Lands Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and representatives from the private sector.
The team has been tasked with monitoring, inspecting, and protecting public lands across the Greater Accra Region, while supporting the recovery of state lands occupied illegally.
Addressing members at the inauguration ceremony, the minister described public lands as national assets that must be protected for future development and public use.
“Public lands are not meant for individual exploitation or unlawful occupation. They are national assets that must be preserved for the development of our country and for public use,” he said.
He said encroachment on public lands had caused major losses to the state and affected development projects and public infrastructure, hence charged members of the task force to carry out their duties with professionalism, fairness, and integrity.
“We expect the task force to act firmly but lawfully in protecting state lands and responding to reports of encroachment,” he stated.
On his part, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Yusif Sulemana, cautioned members against misconduct and warned that the Ministry would closely monitor their operations.
“You have been entrusted with a responsibility that requires accountability, transparency, and discipline. The Ministry will support your work, but your activities will also be closely monitored,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the taskforce, Mr. Raphael Hokey Esq., assured the Ministry that members were prepared to carry out the assignment diligently.
“We are committed to serving in the national interest and ensuring that public lands are protected from unlawful occupation,” he said.
The inauguration forms part of a wider national plan by the Ministry to establish similar public lands protection task forces across the country.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
