Parliament summons Interior Minister, Prisons Director over Cantonments Lands

The Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament has summoned Mr. Henry Quartey, the Minister of the Interior, and the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service to appear before it to help resolve controversies surrounding state lands in the Cantonments area of Accra.

The committee’s inquiry is focused on issues related to the Ghana Prisons Service Barracks at Cantonments and the Prisons Service land at Roman Ridge in Accra.

The summons for the two officials to meet the Parliamentary Committee on Monday, July 29, comes in the wake of recent announcements by the Coalition of La Associations and the GaDangme Coalition Against Land Injustice, who plan to embark on a series of street protests over the Cantonments lands.

The demonstrations, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, July 30, are aimed at addressing perceived unethical land seizures by political entities in the Greater Accra Region.

The groups have expressed concern over the Prisons Service lands at Cantonments, where plans are reportedly underway by a private developer to redevelop the facilities. Part of the Cantonments land is intended to be used for private business ventures, which the protestors argue undermines public interest.

The Coalition and GaDangme Coalition are calling for greater transparency and fairness in the handling of these lands.

The parliamentary session will seek to address these issues, with the Interior Minister and Prisons Director expected to provide clarification on the current status and future plans for the contested lands.