Prof Patrick Agbesinyale, Chief Director at Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
The Chief Director at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof Patrick Agbesinyale has refuted claims suggesting government engaged land guards to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.
Tamale South MP Alhassan Suhuyini had alleged that the government has confessed to entering into a contract with a land guard.
According to him, the chief director of the Ministry Prof Patrick Agbesinyale at a Parliamentary Committee meeting on 10th July, 2023 revealed before the committee; “I think the idea was that anytime the Government apparatus; the police, military among others are seen going out there to claim lands, you know the hullabaloo and backlash the Government receives. So, what they do is that you would set up somebody like this and Government would literally be hiding behind it so he can reclaim government lands.”
“So, I remember that during the claiming process, three people lost their lives. There were gunshots; exchange of fire, and three people lost their lives there. Except that Gyato has a section of the media on site who would cover always – he is a whole set-up,” Agbesinyale said.
However, appearing before the Public Account Commitee on Wednesday (19 July), Agbesinyale said “I think I take exception to that reportage.”
“I think land guard unfortunately is a terminology that all of us dont want to be associated with, at least we know what land guards are, they are illegal entities that operate and engage in all forms of criminal activities, I can’t imagine saying government uses land guards,” he said.
Agbesinyale added “We cannot attribute land guards to our respectable security agencies, its unfair and I personally take a very strong exception to that, because I never mentioned land guard in my submission to the committee, I never.”
Listen to Prof Agbesinyale in the attached audio clip below:
By Fred Dzakpata
