Government Takes Over Achimota Lands Bequeathed To The Family Of Sir John

The Ministry of Lands and Resources has announced that government has taken over the Achimota lands bequeathed to the family of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John.

Until his demise, Sir John was the CEO of the Forestry Commission.

The Will of the late Sir John which went viral on Monday May 23rd 2022 revealed that the NPP guru who died in July 2020 allegedly owned some lands in the Achimota Forest and had bequeathed the said lands.

In the alleged Will sighted by MyGhanaMedia.com, Sir John named his children and some individuals related to him as the ones the lands should be given to forever.

The will also stated in the will that he owned land at the Ramsar area in Sakumono in Accra.

After the will went viral, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources stated that it will investigate the said lands in the list.

In a latest development, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revealed that the repositories of the records of the land in question show no record of ownership of the lands both in Achimota Forest and Sakumono Ramsar site.

“The said land, given the totality of the circumstance of the said allegation, I as Minister for Lands and resources, have directed the lands commission to deem any ownership of lands both in Achimota and Sakumono Ramsar site by the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie as void and are to take the appropriate actions accordingly,” the statement from the Ministry said.

A statement issued by the sector Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor on Tuesday May 24 said all past and present wrong acquisition of lands would be dealt with accordingly.

“Government will act on any improper acquisition of any public lands regardless of how it was procured , whether now or in the past, and the Achimota Forest lands will not be an exception,” the Ministry said while indicating that the alleged will of the late former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) is a subject matter for litigation in court.

“Preliminary inquiries reveal that the alleged will in question is a subject matter for litigation / Contestation in court.

“Further checks at the Lands and Forestry Commission , the repositories of the records of the land in question show no record of ownership of lands at at the Achimota Forest of Sarkumono Ramsar Site, by the late Kwadwo Owusus Afriyie,” the Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday May 24.

The documents lists some individual relatives of Mr Owusu Afriyie’s to be allocated some portions of the Achimota Forest, which has become a topical issue the past days as a result of an Executive Instrument signed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declassify portions.

“I give my portion of land that I jointly own at the Achimota Forest in the name of DML Limited to Elizabeth Asare Boateng who at the time of making this will is domiciled in the USA forever,” point g. of the will of the late public official, popularly known as Sir John, stated as captured on social media.

“The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations, and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims,” a statement issued on Sunday, May 22 by the Ministry said.

“Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.

“The Ministry assures the general public and the good people of Ghana that it will ensure that the national interest is protected at all times, especially in matters pertaining to the Achimota Forest.”

 

 

 

Read full statement below:

 

 

pic.twitter.com/VV72hAZYJQ

— My Ghana Media (@MyGhanamedia2) May 24, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: MyGhanaMedia.com