Foreign Affairs Ministry recovers all encroached lands – Ablakwa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reclaimed all its encroached lands. This follows a directive from President John Mahama. The directive aimed to reverse allocations and sales approved by the previous administration.

The goal was to protect the Ministry’s land at Airport Residential. Seven organisations and individuals had taken over this land.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced this during a parliamentary debate. He discussed the Ministry’s GH¢1.4 billion budget estimate. He reaffirmed the government’s stance against selling state-owned properties.

Ablakwa assured that all lands belonging to the Ministry are now restored to state ownership. “I am pleased to inform this house that we have successfully reclaimed all lands,” he declared. He added that the adjoining land at the Foreign Ministry is now fully restored.

The Minister emphasized that the government opposes disposing of state assets, especially diplomatic properties. “No land under the Ministry’s jurisdiction will be put up for sale,” he stated. He also announced that attempts to sell diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia have been halted.

Ablakwa stressed the government's commitment to protecting national assets. Under President Mahama’s leadership, there will be "zero tolerance for selling diplomatic properties.” He assured that all foreign missions and state properties abroad will remain intact for future generations.