North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Exposes Government Officials Involved in State Land Purchases

North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has publicly released a list of government officials he accuses of purchasing state lands under questionable circumstances.

The lawmaker, known for his activism against what he terms "State Capture," shared the names on his X platform, raising concerns about the sale of public assets to politically connected individuals.

In his post, Ablakwa criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for its lack of transparency, particularly in its handling of public lands. He pointed out that despite ongoing efforts by parliament to obtain a comprehensive list of such transactions, the government has refused to disclose the details, prompting his decision to release the information himself.

Names on the List:

• Joseph Boahen Aidoo (CEO, Ghana Cocoa Board) — Purchased land on 30th October 2020
• Kate Gyamfua (NPP Women’s Organiser) — Purchased land on 31st August 2022
• Ibrahim Mohammed Awal (Former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture) — Purchased land on 30th November 2020
• Dr. Ernest Yedu Addison (Governor, Bank of Ghana) — Purchased land on 31st August 2022
• Elsie Addo Awadzi (Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana) — Purchased land on 27th August 2020
• Maxwell Opoku-Afari (Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana) — Purchased land on 31st August 2022
• Dr. Janet Ampadu Fofie (Chairperson, Presidential Emoluments Committee) — Purchased land on 29th June 2022
• Kwabena Mantey Jectey Nyarko (Board Member, Ghana Airport Company Limited) — Purchased land on 22nd October 2022
• Anselm Ransford Adzete Sowah (Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada) — Purchased land on 14th October 2020
• Anna Asare Oduro (Former NPP Women’s Organiser, Holland Chapter) — Purchased land on 25th February 2021

Ablakwa’s revelations have sparked a fresh debate on the issue of state asset management, with critics questioning the transparency and fairness of these transactions. He also highlighted that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s recent manifesto did not address these concerns, further intensifying suspicions of deliberate concealment.

The MP indicated that he will continue to expose what he describes as "unconscionable and opaque land grabs" by the current government until they provide a full account of public land sales. Ablakwa also mentioned progress on a Private Member’s Bill aimed at preventing politicians and other top public officials from purchasing state assets, which he believes is essential for safeguarding public resources.

This development is likely to heighten the political tension surrounding the management of state assets, as citizens demand greater accountability from their leaders.