The group OccupyGhana has called on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to hold to all releases of state land and cause a national debate on the matter before further action.
In a letter to the Minister, OccupyGhana stated that the belief that recent land releases are ‘illegal and unconstitutional.
“Sir, we firmly believe that the land releases are illegal and unconstitutional, and we call upon the Government to immediately reverse such releases and make room for a national debate on this matter. Simply put, you are not allowed to arbitrarily dispose of the family silver and heirlooms without accounting to us, the true owners,” they stated.
The Ministry of Lands has stated that it is conducting investigations in how parts of the Achimota Forest land came to be released.
(Below is the full letter from OccupyGhana).
OccupyGhana
Our Ref: OG/2022/005
31 May 2022
Abu Jinapor, MP
The Honourable Minister
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Accra
Dear Sir:
STOP ALL RELEASE OF PUBLIC LANDS AND RENDER ACCOUNTS TO GHANAIANS
OccupyGhana’s Position on Land Releases:
In our letter to you dated 18 May 2022 titled “OccupyGhana Disagrees With any Further Release of Achimota Lands,” we stated that it was not in the national interest to release any lands to the original owners. We further urged Government to freeze all planned releases of public lands. Finally, we urged Government, to audit all lands that it holds and come up with a clear national strategy on the use to which those lands are being or will be put, to serve our national developmental goals.
Announcement of Achimota Forest Reserve Lands Audit and our Immediate Response:
We note that in your Press Statement dated 24 May 2022, you announced an audit of the Achimota Forest Reserve lands. We however responded on the same date to state that the audit should cover all public lands released since 7 January 1993, together with a Chapter 23 Commission of Inquiry into all cases of land releases since that date. While waiting to hear from you on this, we have seen correspondence that shows that the Government is engaged in even more release of lands, this time in Kumasi.
OccupyGhana’s Position Restated:
Sir, we restate our vehement disagreement with these land releases. The state acquired these lands in the national interest, to serve the entire population of Ghana, and not just the section who will simply turn around and sell them to rich Ghanaians and foreigners. A policy that enriches a section of Ghanaians at the expense of others, is not in the national interest.
Constitutional Provisions Regarding Ownership of Public Lands:
Further, regarding public lands, the Constitution makes three clear distinctions under articles 257 and 258:
(1) the citizens of Ghana are the actual owners of public lands, the holders of the allodial title;
(2) the President is merely the trustee of the citizens, and he has no direct powers of management over those lands; and
(3) the Lands Commission is the manager on behalf of the Government.
Under article 36(8) Government and Lands Commission cannot deal with public lands as they please, but only as the trustee and manager respectively, imposed with the duties of fiduciaries who are accountable to the citizens. Then, the Constitution is careful to ensure that the functions of the Lands Commission as manager, and the Government as trustee are not conflated. Article 258(2) therefore assigns to the Lands Minister, the power only to make written, binding and general directions (with the approval of the President) “to the Lands Commission on matters of policy in respect of the functions of the Commission.” Article 265 then shows that subject to the said policy directions and other constitutionally-compliant laws, “the Lands Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, in the performance of its functions.” Thus, even the Supreme Court, absent evidence of breaches of the law, has considered itself constrained from stifling or subverting the Lands Commission’s independence or autonomy while acting as managers of public lands.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Ultra Vires Exercise of Ministerial Responsibilities:
We submit that, as fiduciaries of public lands, both you and the Lands Commission cannot take actions that jeopardise the trust imposed on you by the Constitution. You certainly have no power to dispose of our lands FOR NOTHING and FOREVER, and without due account to the citizens of Ghana. Certainly, you, as Minister, cannot engage in the direct management of public lands, as your role is limited to making the binding written general policy directions to the Lands Commission. We therefore challenge the Government to publish its policy governing these land releases justifying why it is disposing of the citizens’ allodial title FOR NOTHING and FOREVER, showing all the relevant factors and considerations that informed such a policy.
Then the citizens of Ghana, on whose behalf those lands are held in trust, can participate in the ensuing debate and make their voices heard, to ensure that the trustees and managers (as fiduciaries) do not have an unbridled power on how to handle that trust property. Your duty as constitutionally composed fiduciaries demands that you act in the best interest of Ghanaians. You therefore have to explain to us how these land releases that deprive the citizens of their allodial title to the lands FOR NOTHING and FOREVER, is in our best interest. Your added constitutional duty to be accountable requires and expects you to justify your actions and decisions to those to whom you owe that duty, the people.
Illegal and Unconstitutional Release of Public Lands:
Sir, we firmly believe that the land releases are illegal and unconstitutional, and we call upon the Government to immediately reverse such releases and make room for a national debate on this matter. Simply put, you are not allowed to arbitrarily dispose of the family silver and heirlooms without accounting to us, the true owners.
Yours in the service of God and Country,
OccupyGhana
