Former President John Mahama has voiced worry over the government’s decision to transfer the Saglemi Housing Project to private individuals without engaging allodial landowners.
According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under his administration launched the project after obtaining land from the people of Ningo-Prampram through consultation.
He stated that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) abandoned the project when they took government, and that if they have decided to transfer it over to private entities, the original landowners must be involved in the decision-making process.
“The NDC initiated the Saglemi Housing project. Before beginning the project, we consulted with the inhabitants of Ningo-Prampram. After we left, the government abandoned it. Recently, I heard that they intend to give it to private individuals.
“But the point I’m making to them is that if you are changing the status of that project, from a government project to a private project, you need to discuss with the allodial owners of the land,” according to him.
Mr Mahama added that the administration has yet to consult with the residents of Ningo-Prampram.
“You cannot delete that land by giving that project to a private corporation without the permission, discussion, and agreement with the allodial owners.
He emphasized that the housing project belongs to the people of Ghana and cannot be sold to corporate interests without completing the proper procedures.
“That is a warning to them,” he said, adding that an NDC-led government would make certain that future agreements concerning the project reflect the engagement and interests of the local population.
The previous president promised that a future NDC government would examine the current project deal to assure the local community’s active participation.
