Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised questions about denials by the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, regarding allegations of acquiring prime state land at Cantonments, Accra, under questionable circumstances.
In a series of tweets, Ablakwa accused Quaicoe of purchasing the land at a “terribly insulting” price of GHS160,157.00 (approximately $11,000) despite the property’s conservative market value exceeding $700,000 (GHS10.5 million). Ablakwa attached documents purportedly from the Lands Commission to support his claims, challenging Quaicoe to clarify what exactly he is denying.
“Is he denying that he bought our prime Cantonments state land from President Akufo-Addo at a terribly insulting GHS160,157.00? … Is he denying that the real conservative market value for that piece of land is in excess of US$700,000.00 (GHS10.5 million)?” Ablakwa asked.
The legislator further alleged that the government failed to comply with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), by not seeking parliamentary approval for rezoning the land. He also questioned whether Quaicoe had sent an intermediary to negotiate on his behalf.
This comes in the wake of reports suggesting that Quaicoe had returned the land following public scrutiny, which he later denied. Ablakwa expressed disbelief over Quaicoe’s denials, emphasizing that his attached documents provide “incontrovertible evidence” of the acquisition.
*Call for Legislative Action*
Ablakwa used the opportunity to renew his call for the passage of his Private Member’s Bill, which seeks to prohibit political appointees and politically exposed persons from purchasing state assets. He argued that such laws are crucial to ending what he described as “state capture.”
He also expressed optimism, citing former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to addressing issues of state asset acquisition by political elites. “President Mahama gives us hope that the era of State Capture is over!” Ablakwa declared.
Next Steps
The controversy is likely to deepen as Ablakwa has promised to provide more details, vowing to keep the issue alive until justice is served. The incident has sparked public outcry over accountability and transparency in the management of state lands, adding pressure on government officials and appointees to justify their actions.
