Wednesday, August 12, 2009

DON'T BEND RULES ON LAND ACQUISITION (PAGE 30)

MEMBERS of the reconstituted Lands Commission have been advised not to use their positions to bend the rules of land acquisition and registration.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, who made the call, said with the oil find in the region, demand for had had surged, “therefore, if the rules are bent to the advantage of one party or another, it would create unnecessary litigation, thereby thwarting development.”
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Regional Lands Commission in Sekondi, the minister said land issues were very sensitive and, on many occasions, had led to disputes and conflicts with dire consequences.
She said a situation such as that would not only create unrest, but would also thwart development, adding that “it is, therefore, important that you do exhaustive deliberation before you take decisions that affect land allocation and its related issues.”
“If you work meticulously on the issues that will come before you, I am sure you can help minimise land disputes if not eliminate them altogether,” she said.
The deputy minister reminded the new members that management of land went beyond mere allocation of plots, collection of revenue and processing of documents.
“It also entails decisions made about land, implementation of those decisions for the optimum utilisation of land for accelerated development and elimination of litigations which impede growth,” she said.
Ms Bosumtwi-Sam observed that the task before the commission was a daunting one that required a multi-sectoral approach.
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, said reforms in the sector were being pursued with very good intentions.
Members of the commission promised to do everything possible to ensure that due diligence was followed to ensure minimal or complete elimination of litigation across the region.

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