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The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strongly denied allegations that the government must pay GHS 5,383,000.00 to the Bulgarian Embassy for the demolition of its building in 2017.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, asserted that the government was responsible for this payment due to a land dispute. However, in a statement dated July 18, 2024, the Ministry dismissed these claims as false and baseless.
The Ministry clarified that the land was not granted to the Bulgarian Embassy by the government, and the demolition was not conducted by government authorities. The government’s involvement was solely because it concerned a Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.
The statement read, “The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to allegations by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that the Government is supposed to pay the Bulgarian Embassy GHS 5,383,000.00 for demolishing their building. This allegation is false and without basis.”
It further explained, “The land in question was not granted to the Bulgarian Embassy by the Government, and neither was the demolition carried out by the Government. The Government of Ghana intervened due to the involvement of a Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.”
The Ministry also emphasized that the government is not liable to pay the stated amount. “The Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission valued the unexpired term at GHS 5,383,000.00. This amount is not to be paid by the Government. Instead, it is to be paid by Mr. Jojo Hagan, as recommended by the Sole Inquirer. The Government is still engaging the parties to ensure the compensation is paid accordingly.”
The Ministry concluded that any claims suggesting the government is responsible for this payment are misleading and intended to cause public disaffection. The Bulgarian Embassy, located at Kakramadu Road, Plot No. 10, East Cantonments in Accra, was demolished by a private developer in 2017.
