By Muyid Deen Suleman
Ejura (Ash), Dec. 06 GNA – The government has officially handed over 13,000 acres of land, which used to be part of the Ejura Farms land, to the Ejura traditional council.
This is part of efforts by the government to resolve the longstanding ownership dispute, which had resulted in a protracted legal battle between the traditional council and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture over rightful ownership.
The land has now been entrusted to the traditional council after it was initially leased to an American private company.
The land came back to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s control after the expiration of the lease in 2018.
An attempt by the government to lease the land again for private investment was vehemently opposed by the Ejurahene, leading to years of contention.
Whereas the Ministry could not produce ownership documents, the traditional council furnished evidence confirming its rightful ownership of the land.
The government, therefore, decided to hand the land back to the traditional council
Mr. John Boadu, Director-General of the State Interest Governance Authority (SIGA), who officially handed the land, said the government, after careful consideration directed the removal of the land from the divestiture list to facilitate its return to the traditional owners.
He commended Barima Osei Hwedie II, Ejurahene and the people of Ejura for their patience and urged the people to unite to support the NPP government and vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections.
Barima Osei Hwedie II thanked the government for understanding the concerns of the people and releasing the land back to them.
He pledged to work to ensure that the reclaimed land was utilized for the benefit of the people of Ejura and the nation as a whole, adding that the release of the land symbolized a new chapter for the community’s agricultural and economic advancement.
GNA