By Ewurabena Paha
The Lands Commission says it fully accepts the latest UN corruption ranking that puts the Commission as the most corrupt public institution in Ghana.
At a news conference in Accra to discuss the report, Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Benito Owusu Bio, said the report is shameful, blaming the development not only on middlemen popularly called ‘goro boys’, but also on some staff who perpetuate the menace.
He said the Ministry will swiftly begin moves to clear the Commission of all persons whose activities influenced the latest ranking.
A recent United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes report has brought to the forefront the pervasive issues of bribery in public and state institutions in Ghana.
The report shed light on the practice and its prevalence of which the Lands Commission emerged as a hotspot for bribery with its workers receiving the highest average amount.
The staggering figure of 1,699 reflects the grim situation of the vital state institute responsible for land issues. This development, the commission finds as shameful and must be dealt with immediately. Benito Owusu Bio is the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Mr. Owusu Bio said the UN report is an indication that priority must be given to the commission due to the delicate nature of its work.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, James Dadson acknowledged the middlemen challenge and said the commission is working to decentralize in order to defeat the menace.
Mr. Dadson assured the public of the Commission’s resolve to position the Commission to serve the public and protect their interests.