The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, on Tuesday led a high-powered delegation to Batsona in Accra to inspect portions of the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) lands that have been taken over by squatters. The visit underscored the Ministry’s renewed drive to recover state properties and reinforce the lawful use of public lands earmarked for national development.
Accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry, the Director-General of MDPI, Prof. Elijah Yendaw, and the Institute’s Board Chairman, Sesay Salifu Abdul-Qadir, the Minister walked the stretch of encroached land to assess the extent of unlawful occupation. The delegation’s presence highlighted growing concerns over the rapid encroachment on state lands and the implications for Ghana’s institutional expansion efforts.
During the inspection, Dr. Pelpuo engaged directly with individuals operating on the land, reiterating the Ministry’s resolve to reclaim all MDPI property. He expressed the government’s firm stance that public lands must serve their intended purpose and not be diverted through unauthorized occupation. The Minister noted that reclaiming the Batsona lands would allow MDPI to pursue its core mandate of enhancing productivity, strengthening human resource development, and expanding institutional capacity across the country.
Following the field assessment, the delegation continued to the Krowor Municipal Assembly, as a portion of the MDPI lands falls within the municipality’s jurisdiction. In discussions with the Municipal Coordinating Director, the Minister underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between central government agencies and local authorities. Such cooperation, he said, is essential for effective land monitoring, enforcement of planning regulations, and the prevention of future encroachments.
The delegation included the Ministry’s Chief Director, Mr. Hamidu Adaklugu, Esq.; Chief Internal Auditor, Mr. Dela Sabbah; Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Eyram D. K. Tottimeh Jnr.; Estate Officer, Mr. Mohammed Ansah; and other senior officials. Media outlets were also present to document the process, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and public accountability.
The Batsona visit forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment to protect, recover, and redevelop state lands assigned to MDPI. With renewed institutional focus, the Ministry aims to ensure that these assets are preserved for national capacity-building initiatives and long-term productivity enhancement.