A taskforce has been constituted to look into the encroachment on the lands belonging to the Department of Parks and Gardens, the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr Daniel Botwe, has said.
The move, he said, was to help reclaim all the lands of the department which had been encroached by individuals.
Mr Botwe, who disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times in Accra on Tuesday, said the ministry was aware of the challenges facing the department and as part of measures to resolve the challenges, it has constituted a taskforce to conduct assessment on all affected properties of the department.
“I am aware that the department is currently battling with land encroachment on its operational sites in Accra, Takoradi, Wa and Tamale, with most of the lands not having ownership titles.
“As part of measures to resolve this, the ministry has constituted a taskforce to conduct assessment on all affected properties of the department,” he added.
The minister said it was expected that the taskforce, as part of its assignment, would engage the landowners and the Lands Commission to facilitate proper acquisition of the lands for the operations of the department.
He expressed concern about the challenges of the department and assured it would be addressed amicably.
However, despite the challenges, the minister expressed delight that the department was still functioning and doing well.
He said the department over the period from 2019 till date had exceeded its revenue target.
According to him, the department last year saw a significant increase of 26 per cent in its Internal Generated Fund (IGF) over the actual target.
He said the department also carried out horticulture sensitisation programmes to educate the general public on environmental awareness.
“The School of Horticulture also trained students and plant lovers in knowledge acquisition in horticulture,” he added.
MrBotwe stated that considering the role of the department towards the beautification and maintenance of roads, it was important that the general public cooperates well with the department.
“It is only through this public support that the department can perform its functions effectively,” he said.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
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