Sole Inquirer to present report on April 26

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has extended the time for the Sole Inquirer into the Bulgarian Embassy land matter to present his report.

The Minister accordingly announced April 26, 2022 as the new date for him to present his report.

The extension follows a request by the Sole Inquirer, Justice Kwasi Anto Ofori Atta, a retired Justice of the High Court appointed on March 18, 2022, for more time.

Justice Ofori-Atta was given seven days to present his report on the Bulgarian Embassy land matter, and one month to present his report on matters relating to lands occupied by diplomatic missions in Ghana.

However, following the commencement of his investigations, the Sole Inquirer says he found the issues considerably complex, and needed more time to deal exhaustively with all the issues.

Sole inquirer

On March 18, 2022, the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources appointed a Sole Inquirer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ownership of some parcel of land in dispute between the Bulgarian Embassy and a private developer.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources at the inauguration said the Ministry’s attention was drawn to media reports about the demolishing of the Bulgarian Embassy by some private individuals.

The report, he said, received immediate action as a team, led by his Deputy in charge of Lands and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio, was sent to the scene.

According to him, acting on instructions, all activities on the land were halted until further notice, stressing that government had no hand in the said demolition exercise.

Mr Jinapor noted that President Akufo-Addo, who had previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, would be the person to authorise any act that affects diplomatic relations or the country’s obligations under international laws.

In view of this, the Minister said there was the need to commission a full investigation into the circumstances leading to the alleged demolition and the development of the property.

He outlined the terms of reference for the Sole Inquirer as undertaking a full and impartial inquiry into the alleged encroachment and demolishing of property on the land being used as the Bulgarian Embassy.

“The Sole Inquirer would make appropriate recommendations relating to the land being used as the Bulgarian Embassy. He would inquire into the nature of interest in any land held or occupied by Diplomatic Missions in Ghana. He would also inquire into any matter relating to land in which Diplomatic Missions in Ghana have an interest whatsoever and make recommendations to Government,” he stated.

He reiterated that government is committed to maintaining the cordial relations it keeps with all diplomatic missions, and would by no means allow the current issue to mar the long standing relationship that exists between Ghana and Bulgaria.

Mr Jinapor further noted that the expertise and experience of the Sole Inquirer was enough to ensure that a good work would be done in getting to the bottom of the matter