The Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has vowed to eliminate the undervaluation and discounted sales of state land, practices he argues hinder national development.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 27, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah explained the need for transparency and fairness in the allocation of state lands.
He expressed concern over the current practice, wherein public lands are often valued at only 25% of their market worth, with the remainder accounted for as ground rent.
He stated, “That will not happen anymore. If there is a need to sell, it should be done at the current market value so that Ghanaians are not shortchanged.”
Addressing concerns about high-profile officeholders acquiring state land under their supervision, Mr. Armah-Buah was emphatic, he described such practice as “fundamentally wrong” and contrary to principles of fairness.
“Lands acquired by the state should be repurposed transparently and only for the public good,” he added, drawing on the past as a blueprint for future operations.
He cited successful examples of transparent land repurposing during the tenure of former President John Atta Mills.
Buah’s reform agenda aims not only to establish a system of fair market valuations but also to restore public trust in the government’s land allocation processes.
The Parliamentary Appointments Committee is expected to deliberate on Buah’s nomination in the coming days.
Story By: Emmanuel Coffie
