By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, April 26, GNA – Mr Jones Ofori Buadu, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has cut the sod for the construction of an ultramodern office complex for the Central Regional office of the Commission in Cape Coast.
The two-storey building projected to be completed within 18 to 24 months will have adequate office spaces, a cafeteria, conference rooms and other auxiliary facilities to enhance the work of the Commission.
Currently, the Regional Lands Commission operates in a congested office at the Central Regional Coordinating Council, forcing some divisions to exist in separate offices.
The new project, when completed, will accommodate all divisions in one building to ensure staff efficiency as well as convenience for clients given its central location, some few minutes away from Pedu Junction off the Cape Coast – Takoradi highway.
Mr Buadu, noted that the new office would provide an ideal working environment to enhance the Commission’s productivity and efficiency in the region.
He said the Central Region was considered one of the key regions for the Commission about revenue and practice and therefore good working environment augured well for them.
He observed that the Commission was enjoined by law to have permanent offices in all 16 regions of the country but indicated that only four of its regional offices were not rented.
After conferring with government, management of the Commission secured a package to build in all other regions to reduce the expenditure incurred in renting.
Four offices including Central Region, Western Region, Savanna Region and Upper East were concurrently under construction, Mr Buadu noted.
“We need a good environment to operate and get our digital agenda ongoing. Putting up these buildings is part of our rebranding efforts,” he stressed.
Mr Innocent Haligah, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, was hopeful that the edifice would fully equip and motivate the staff to give off their best, indicating that a poor working environment reduced enthusiasm.
“The location is important, It is at a central place which, and it will be very accessible to almost everybody,” he added.
He directed the contractor to employ the youth in and around Cape Coast for them to benefit from the construction.
Mr Seth Owusu, the Regional Lands Officer, who bemoaned the congestion at their current office was particularly excited that the challenge would eventually be resolved.
He said the construction of the new office presented an opportunity for them to reflect on their attitudes to work and serve the region with hard work and diligence.
He thanked government and the national management of the Commission for facilitating the execution of the project.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, who was visibly elated about the project, expressed the hope that the new office would help to mitigate many of the challenges associated with land and land acquisition in the region.
He urged them to expedite the construction of the project to bring convenience and trouble-free land economy to the region.
“Let’s all put our efforts to together to ensure the project will be successful to the benefit of all the people in the region,” he said.
Odeefo Amoakwa Boadu VIII, the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, commended the Commission for their hard work despite their challenges.
When completed, he said the new office would enable officers to work more professionally, expediting the processing of documents and contributing to the mitigation of land disputes which underpinned most chieftaincy disputes.
“I’m happy that we are also going digital and that will also help to ensure that there is efficiency,” he added.
Odeefo Boadu called attention to Section 45 of the Chieftaincy Act which directed traditional councils to consent to the sale of any stool land and called for a strict adherence to same.
He observed that the law was not being followed, and the situation had given rise to preventable land disputes.
“If it is being followed, every Paramount Chief will ensure that lands in their areas are sold by the rightful people.
“But unfortunately, because the consent of the Paramount chiefs are not taken, one chief can sell another chief’s land,” he observed.
GNA
AT/KOA