The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is at risk of losing substantial portions of its land, currently occupied by various directorates, due to encroachment.
During an ongoing tour, Minister Eric Opoku has uncovered a concerning situation where MOFA staff are being forcibly removed from their offices to accommodate private developers. Allegations suggest that some of these developers have acquired the land through illegal means.
For instance, the offices of the Women in Agricultural Development and Livestock Breeding Directorate at Borteyman, also known as Nungua Farms, are being encroached with buildings allegedly erected by influential figures from both past and present administrations.
Dr. Dennis Adjei, the farm manager, expressed the seriousness of the issue during discussions with the Agric Minister as part of his tour. He noted that the encroachment has become so extreme that staff can no longer access their office premises.
“Areas where we used to grow pasture for our animals have now been transformed into residential zones, complicating our work and jeopardizing our security,” he explained.
“Our residence is on the other side of the road, necessitating constant crossing of the highway to reach our office. We often have to park our cars outside and sometimes even plead for access through their gate,” a visibly distressed Dr. Dennis Adjei shared.
In addition to the demolition of their properties, the Directorate is facing pressure from private developers to relocate their piggery, rabbit, and poultry farms. Other directorates, including the Statistics Research Information Directorate (SRID) at Pokuase, the Veterinary Services Directorate, and the Crop Research Institute, face similar challenges during the Minister’s tour.
In response to these issues, Agric Minister Eric Opoku has called upon the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee for assistance, promising to reclaim all unlawfully acquired lands.
“I assure you that you will not be moving anywhere. Where do they expect you to relocate your animal pens? I simply cannot comprehend it,” he stated. “I believe ORAL should be involved to investigate how these lands have been obtained. I guarantee that all illegally acquired lands will be reclaimed,” he assured.
So far, the Minister has visited the Women in Agricultural Development Directorate, the Livestock Breeding Directorate at Nungua Farms, the Veterinary Services Directorate, the Animal Production Directorate, and the Finance and Administration, Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Directorates during his tour. He is scheduled to conclude the three-day tour on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, with a visit to the Agric Engineering Services Directorate, aiming to connect with staff and gain their support as he prepares to implement the government’s comprehensive plan to enhance the agricultural sector over the next four years.
Reporting by Stephen Freeman, Accra.
