Minister says it will be difficult returning lands to Ga State

Nii Armah Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Saturday said efforts to return unused lands to the Ga State could be difficult, taking into account the numerous chieftaincy disputes in the region.

He said despite this, government would continue to discuss with the chiefs on the way forward in the intra-tribal conflicts and chieftaincy disputes that had ravaged the region.

Nii Ashitye, who was addressing chiefs from the region at an end of year party in Accra, said if government wanted to return such lands it would be difficult to know which chiefs to receive them as they were all scrambling for the lands.

“My humble appeal to you is to collectively close this dark chapter in our history be united and believe that the old hatred, discrimination and prejudice have passed and completely dissolved,” he said.

Nii Ashitey noted that “traditional authorities are key actors in the decentralization process and are partners in development.”

He asked the chiefs to eschew corruption, greed, pettiness and self-centredness, rancour and acrimony for the progress of the region.

Nii Ashitey thanked the Regional Coordination Council and security forces for working hard to reduce crime in the region.

He hoped the introduction of the Single Spine Salary would eliminate all the disparities in workers’ salaries to ensure industrial harmony in the country.

Nii Ashitey said a better future awaited Ghanaians in 2010 as the country was able to avert the credit crunch.

He stressed that in the face of difficulties, Ghana was able to organize a smooth transition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Nii Dr. Adzei Annan, Greater Accra Representative of the Council of State, appealed to the chiefs to desist from selling lands indiscriminately else generations ahead would find life difficult without land.

He called on Gas to uphold their cultural values, especially their language and dressing.

The party was organised to among others take stock of events of 2009 and to chart a new course in the administration of the region.

Some of the chiefs present were Nana Kanor Atiapa III, chief of Ningo Traditional Area, Nii Dane Tei Kwesi Agyema, chief of Dodowa, Nii Kpoti Tettey Tsuru, La Mantse, Nii Nortey Omatuo VI, Nii Sowa Okataban, Adenta Mantse and Nii Nortey Omantuo Ashitey Dzan, Osu Mantse.

Others were Nii Tettey Okpe II, Amamoale Mantsey, Nii Okupi I, Dunkonan Mantse, Nii Okuh Ntre II, Mayira Mantse, Naa Densao III, Pokuase Manye, Naa Baawa I, Papase Manye, Nana Osatro Okpoti Ashiwei, Fafraha Queen mother and Anum Momli, Sesema Mantse.

The rest were Mr. K.B. Asante, President Ga/Adangbe Council, Emmanuel Annan Adzei, Greater Accra Representative, Council of State, Mr. Fritz Baffuor, Member of Parliament, Ablekuma South Constituency and Mr. Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Scheme.

Source: GNA