NPP Government: Using repealed law, Akufo-Addo appoints Stephen Ntim as Lands Commission boss

A letter communicating Mr Ntim’s appointment from the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, quoted repealed law1994 Act instead of the Lands Commission Act, 2008, Act  767.

Stephen Ntim, a former first Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Lands Commission under a repealed law.

A letter communicating Mr Ntim’s appointment from the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, quoted the repealed 1994 Act instead of the Lands Commission Act, 2008, Act  767.

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The appointment letter stated: “Pursuant to Section 5 (1) of the Lands Commission Act, 1994 (Act 483), the President of the Republic of Ghana in consultation with the Council of State hereby appoints you as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Lands Commission.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally for your appointment. Kindly indicate your acceptance or others of this appointment. Thank you.”

However, under the new land commission law, the Chairman and other members of the Commission are appointed under section 8 of the Lands Commission Act, 2008, Act  767 but the 1994 Act cites Section 5.

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Section 8 of the 2008 Act states

1. The Commission, shall in accordance with article 259 of the Constitution consists of

(a) the Chairman, who shall not be a Minister or a Deputy Minister;

(b) one representative of, and nominated by (i) the National House of Chiefs; (ii) the Ghana Bar Association; (iii) the Ghana Institution of Surveyors; (iv) each Regional Lands Commission; (v) the department responsible for town and country planning; (vi) the National Association of Farmers and Fishermen; (vii) the Environmental Protection Agency; and (viii) the Ministry responsible for Lands and Natural Resources; and

(c) the Executive Secretary of the Commission

2. The President shall in accordance with article 70 of the Constitution appoint the chairman and the other members of the Commission.

3. The President shall determine the salaries and allowances payable, the facilities and the privileges available to the chairman and the other members of the Commission in accordance with article 71 (1) (d) (iv) of the Constitution.

A letter communicating Mr Ntim’s appointment from the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, quoted repealed law1994 Act instead of the Lands Commission Act, 2008, Act  767. Read Full Story