![](https://i0.wp.com/ghanafeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/dominic-nitiwul-1.jpg?resize=300%2C196&ssl=1)
Former Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has reignited the debate over the sale of state lands in Ghana, alleging that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sold more state lands to private individuals than the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His comments come amid ongoing accusations and counter-accusations between the two major political parties regarding the management and disposal of state-owned properties.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face, Nitiwul acknowledged that both the NDC and NPP have engaged in the sale of state lands. However, he insisted that the NDC holds the record for the most significant number of such transactions. He also denied claims that the Akufo-Addo administration has sold military lands, clarifying that the military only engages in limited private partnerships and does not sell lands to individuals.
“We have not given out any state lands to anybody. We never, we don’t do that. We can only do private partnerships to some extent. But to sell lands to individuals, we can’t,” Nitiwul stated. He emphasized that the issue of state lands must be examined holistically, taking into account the policies and actions of both political parties over the years.
Nitiwul traced the origins of the contentious practice to the NDC administration, which he said introduced the policy of “in-filling” between 1996 and 1998. This policy, he argued, laid the groundwork for the sale of state lands to private individuals. “If there’s anybody who has taken state lands, if you put the two parties together, the NDC has sold more state lands to private individuals than the NPP. All of them are selling under a policy called in-filling. It was under the NDC administration from 1996 to 1998 when that policy was started,” he explained.
The sale of state lands has long been a contentious issue in Ghana, with critics calling for greater transparency and accountability in land transactions involving government properties. Concerns have been raised about the potential for corruption, mismanagement, and the loss of public assets to private interests. Nitiwul’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate, with both parties likely to continue trading accusations over their respective roles in the issue.
As the discussion unfolds, stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the general public, are urging the government to implement stricter regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure that state lands are managed in the public interest. The call for transparency is particularly pressing, given the strategic importance of land as a national resource and its role in national development.
Nitiwul’s remarks highlight the need for a comprehensive review of land management policies in Ghana, as well as a bipartisan approach to addressing the challenges associated with the sale of state lands. Until then, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint in Ghana’s political discourse, with both the NDC and NPP seeking to defend their records while holding the other accountable.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com