Lands Commission Refutes Claims of Selling Speaker’s Official Residence

Accra, Ghana – The Lands Commission has categorically denied allegations made by the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, regarding the sale of his official residence in Cantonments, Accra, to a private developer. This clarification came following the Speaker’s claim at the Speaker’s breakfast forum in Accra on November 20, marking 30 years of Parliamentary democracy, where he suggested that his official residence was nearly sold.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, the Commission firmly stated that at no point had the said property been sold to a private developer, and it was unaware of any purported sale of the Speaker’s residence. The Commission clarified that the land in question, measuring approximately 1.66 acres, was acquired in 1920 and has been serving as the official residence of the Speaker of Parliament since 2003.

The Lands Commission further explained that in November 2022, the Parliamentary Service applied for a Certificate of Allocation to regularize the occupation of the land. This application was approved by the Regional Lands Commission in December 2022, following all statutory processes, including planning approval from the La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly.

On February 14, 2023, the Commission issued an offer of allocation to the Parliamentary Service, which was subsequently accepted. The Service completed the necessary payments, leading to the issuance of a Certificate of Allocation on April 28, 2023. The Commission emphasized its ignorance of any alleged sale of the property.

Reaffirming its dedication to managing public lands responsibly and efficiently, the Lands Commission stated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and candor in land administration.