Mr Kwesi Pratt, the Managing Editor of The Insight News paper, has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to throw his weight solidly behind the proposals made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, to have a ban placed on the acquisition of public lands for private purposes.
Speaking during a discussion on Pan African TV’s “Good Morning Africa” on Friday 10th September, 2021, He said “The Minister has not banned the acquisition of land for private purposes; he has only suggested that it should be done. And I have said, if he is going to succeed, it’s going to be absolutely necessary for the President to put his full weight behind this young Minister”
He termed the proposal by the Lands Minister as very bold and a serious issue that must be taken up as he believes that this initiative when practicalised would make the majority of Ghanaians happy.
Mr Pratt decried the act of government officials acquiring lands cheaply and selling them beyond a 1000%. He said this act must be brought to an end and not to be further encouraged.
He made reference to government bungalows built around the Ridge Hospital which were built purposely for doctors, however, today, it had all been bought by politicians and that posed a threat on the lives of emergency patients who need the urgent attention of doctors who now live as far as Kasoa and Ofankor because their abode which were close to the hospital had been taken away.
The Editor declared that he is particularly happy that Mr Jinapor had seen that as a problem and was flagging it and is, therefore, in full support of what the Minister wants to do.
Kwesi Pratt concluded by reiterating that without the support of the President, Mr Jinapor would not be able to achieve his aim and lauded the Minister for a good job done so far, on the efforts to bring an end to illegal small-scale mining ( galamsey) and the rosewood menace.
By Times reporter
