Deem any ownership of lands at Achimota Forest, Sakumono Ramsar site by Sir John as void – Minister directs Lands, Forestry C’ssions
“Further checks at the Lands and Forestry Commission, the repositories of the records of the lands in question, show no record of ownership of Lands at, the Achimota Forest or the Sakumono Ramsar Site, by the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.”
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapr has in his capacity directed that Lands and Forestry Commissions to deem any ownership of Lands by late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie at Achimota Forest and Sakumono Ramsar site as void.
According to the Minister, these Commissions are accordingly to take appropriate actions against the same.
“That said, given the totality of the circumstances of the said allegation, I as Minister of Lands and Natural resources, have directed the Lands and Forestry Commissions to deem any ownership of lands, both in the Achimota Forest and the Sakumono Ramsar Site by the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie as void and are to take the appropriate actions accordingly.”
On Monday, May 23, there was wide circulation on Social media of an alleged Will of the late former CEO of the Forestry Commission in which he had shared lands including acres at the Achimota Forest lands and the Ramsar site to his son and other relatives.
Subsequently, Mr. Jinapor hinted at a planned investigation into the veracity of the leaked document.
Per a statement dated May 24 and signed by him, Mr. Jinapor indicates that “Preliminary inquiries reveal that the alleged Will in question is a subject matter of litigation/contestation in the courts.”
He adds that “Further checks at the Lands and Forestry Commission, the repositories of the records of the lands in question, show no record of ownership of Lands at, the Achimota Forest or the Sakumono Ramsar Site, by the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.”
Further to the above, Hon Jinapor states that even if the bequeathing of the lands is established, it will not pass any interest/title to the named beneficiaries in the alleged Will because those lands are public lands.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the bequeathing of the aforesaid lands, if established, will not pass any interest/title to the named beneficiaries in the alleged Will. These lands the subject matter of the alleged Will shall remain Public Lands, whether or not it falls within the de-gazetted lands pursuant to E.I. 144.”
