The Managing Director of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has challenged the notion of “state capture” raised by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to the STC boss, if there have been irregularities in the allocation of state lands, they should be addressed, however, he questioned the broad brushstroke of “state capture” being applied alluded to.
“If there has been some impropriety in the giving away of state lands, let’s deal with it. If there has been some undervaluation, if there have been some procedural inefficiencies and so on, let’s deal with it,” he stated.
“This business of ‘state capture’ that Okudzato Ablakwa is very fond of, what does it mean? Does it mean, when somebody politically exposed, acquires state land, then it is state capture? If that is the case, then it cuts across the political divide,” he argued.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Akomea emphasised that if the position is to be that politically exposed persons should not engage in such activities, it should be enforced in a bipartisan manner.
“So if we’re going to put the position out there that politically exposed persons should not be engaged in these activities, then, it has to be multi-partisan. When you try to pigeonhole one regime that is when you run into difficulties.
“And I am sure Ablakwa knows that state lands have been acquired by many individuals, including politically exposed persons in NPP, NDC, CPP, and so on,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa has recently been vocal about the sale of state lands, including properties belonging to the Parks and Gardens, the Ghana Prisons Service, and others.
He also claimed that, lands currently housing judges have been sold, forcing the judges to vacate their premises within a specified period.
In response, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted the allegation that the current government is selling state lands to its cronies.
The Ministry said these allegations are entirely false and should be dismissed by the Ghanaian public.
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