General News of Friday, 6 July 2001

Source: GNA

People of Ga to be given back stool lands

Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, promised to give back all stool lands belonging to the Ga Traditional Council, which were taken without compensation.

He said though some of the lands have been used by government those that are yet to be used would be given back to their owners.

Sheikh Quaye, who was speaking when he and the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Nii Ofei Darko paid a courtesy call on members of the council in Accra said where there is the need for compensation it would be done.

Sheikh Quaye said the land issue has been a source of worry to the people of Ga for many years and expressed the hope that there would be peace if the land reverts to them.

The regional minister also said a committee has been set up on conflict resolution and management by the President to resolve land and chieftaincy disputes.

He called for peace, love and unity among the chiefs and people and urged them to forgive all those who have wronged them over the years.

Mr Darko said corruption at AMA has given the assembly a bad image. "My vision is to change that bad image, increase revenue collection and also block all leakages to enable the assembly to generate more money for the projects ahead of us."

Nii Adote Obour II, acting President of the council, appealed for assistance in rehabilitating the Ga Mantse's palace.

He urged the regional minister and AMA Chief Executive to involve the chiefs in decisions that concern the region.