- Government denies responsibility for embassy demolition and compensation
- The Ministry clarifies the land wasn't allocated by the government
- The Ministry refers to a Sole Inquirer report recommending compensation
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strongly rebutted claims that the government owes the Bulgarian Embassy GH₵5,383,000.00 following the demolition of its building in 2017.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, alleged that the government was liable for compensation due to a land dispute leading to the demolition.
In a statement dated July 18, 2024, the Ministry refuted these allegations, asserting them as unfounded and erroneous. According to the Ministry, the land in question was not allocated to the Bulgarian Embassy by the government, nor was the demolition executed by government authorities. The government’s involvement, it clarified, stemmed solely from the diplomatic implications of the incident.
“The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has once again been made aware of claims by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, suggesting that the government is obligated to compensate the Bulgarian Embassy to the tune of Five Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS5,383,000.00) for the demolition of their building.
“An examination of the Executive Summary of the Sole Inquirer’s Report, published in a Press Release on May 16, 2022, and the documents accompanying the Hon. Member’s statement, clearly shows that this claim is baseless and inaccurate.
“To clarify, the land in question was not leased to the Bulgarian Embassy by the government, and the demolition was not carried out by government entities. However, due to the involvement of a Diplomatic Mission, the Government of Ghana intervened in the matter.
“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that the government is not liable to pay the alleged amount of GHS5,383,000.00, contrary to assertions made by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“The Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission assessed the residual value at GHS5,383,000.00. According to the recommendations of the Sole Inquirer, this sum is to be paid by Mr. Jojo Hagan. Nevertheless, in light of the Diplomatic Mission’s involvement, the government continues to engage all parties to ensure adherence to the aforementioned recommendation.
“It is therefore misleading and erroneous for the Hon. Member of Parliament or any other individual to claim that the government is obligated to compensate the Embassy. Such assertions can only be construed as deliberate attempts to misinform the public and foster discontent towards the Government, given the established facts of this matter.”
The Bulgarian Embassy, located on Kakramadu Road, Plot No. 10, East Cantonments, Accra, was demolished in 2017 by a private developer.
