Lands Ministry refutes GH¢5.3 million Bulgarian Embassy compensation claim

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has vehemently refuted allegations that the government is required to pay the Bulgarian Embassy GHS 5,383,000.00 for the demolition of the embassy’s building in 2017.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, claimed that the government was liable for the payment after the demolition was carried out due to a land dispute.

However, in a statement dated July 18, 2024, the Ministry denied these allegations, describing them as false and baseless.

The Ministry clarified that the land was not granted to the Bulgarian Embassy by the government, and the demolition was not conducted by government authorities.

The Ministry explained that the government intervened in the matter solely because it involved a Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.

“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has, again, been drawn to allegations by the Hon. Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the effect that the Government is supposed to pay the Bulgarian Embassy an amount of Five Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Ghana Cedes (GHS5,383,000.00) for demolishing their building.

“A cursory reading of the Executive Summary of the Report of the Sole Inquirer appointed to investigate the matter, which was published in a Press Release issued on 16th May 2022, and the documents attached to the Hon. Member’s post will show that this allegation is false, and without basis.

“First of all, it must be emphasised that the land in question was not granted to the Bulgarian Embassy by the Government, and neither was the demolishing done by the Government. The Government of Ghana, however, intervened in the matter due to the involvement of a Diplomatic Mission in Ghana.”

The Ministry further stated that the government is not liable to pay the amount of GHS5,383,000.00, contrary to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s claim.

“The Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission valued the unexpired term at Five Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS5,383,000.00). This amount Is not to be paid by the Government, contrary to the claim by the Hon. Member of Parliament. In accordance with the recommendations of the Sole Inquirer, this amount is to be paid by Mr. Jojo Hagan. Due to the Involvement of a Diplomatic Mission, however, the Government is still engaging the parties to ensure that the compensation is paid in accordance with the above recommendation.

“It is, therefore, false for the Hon. Member of Parliament and/or any person to allege that the Government is required to pay this compensation to the Embassy. This claim can only be deliberate with the sole motive of misleading the public, and causing disaffection for the Government, as the publicly established facts of this matter are well-known and easily discernible.”

The Bulgarian Embassy, located at Kakramadu Road, Plot No. 10, East Cantonments in Accra, was demolished by a private developer in 2017.