A shocking revelation by Labour, Jobs, and Employment Minister-designate Rashid Pelpuo has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for an investigation into the alleged illegal allocation of state lands to some Members of Parliament (MPs).
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Mr. Pelpuo disclosed that MPs who serve on the Lands and Forestry Committee are routinely rewarded with free state lands by the Lands Commission.
“We were informed that every single time the Lands Committee was operating, at the end of the period, the Lands Commission would thank you by giving you a piece of land,” the nominee revealed in response to a question on whether he had acquired state land.
Mr. Pelpuo, a former ranking member of the Lands and Forestry Committee, disclosed that he and other members of the committee had been offered state lands as a “salutation” and a gesture of appreciation” from the commission.
However, he failed to disclose the size, location, or total number of such lands allocated over the years.
Illegality and abuse of power?
The revelation has raised serious concerns about the legality and ethics of politicians acquiring public lands under questionable circumstances.
Legal experts and civil society organizations argue that the practice amounts to abuse of office, conflict of interest, and misappropriation of public resources.
Call for immediate investigation
Anti-corruption groups have demanded an independent investigation into the Lands Commission’s land allocation practices.
They insist that all MPs who have benefited from such questionable transactions must be named and held accountable.
Long-standing controversy over state lands
The issue of politicians acquiring state lands has frequently surfaced during the vetting of ministerial nominees, reinforcing suspicions that public lands are being misused for personal gain. Over the years, several high-profile figures have been accused of acquiring prime government lands under suspicious circumstances, often at heavily discounted rates.
Land acquisition in Ghana has remained a contentious issue, with ordinary citizens struggling to secure plots while politicians and well-connected individuals mysteriously obtain prime lands without transparency.
Will Parliament or the Lands Commission Act?
In light of these revelations, many Ghanaians are demanding urgent reforms in land administration to prevent further misuse of state resources.
However, it remains to be seen whether Parliament, the Lands Commission, or the Special Prosecutor will take action to investigate and possibly prosecute those involved.
As public outrage grows, one thing is clear: the issue of state lands being gifted to politicians can no longer be ignored.
The government must ensure full transparency and accountability in public land administration to restore public trust in the system.
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra
