Parliament on Wednesday adopted the committee on lands and forestry’s report of the annual report of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) for 2009.
This comes in the wake of recent land disputes across the country. The report was presented to parliament in February 2012 and was referred to the committee on lands and forestry in accordance with Order 177 of the standing orders of the house for further deliberations in pursuant to section 14 of the OASL Act, 1994 (Act 481).
The major functions of OASL are to consult with stools and other traditional authorities on matters relating to the administration and development of stool lands and settlement of land boundaries among
others.
The financial statements of the report, revenue mobilization dropped in 2009 as against that of 2008. A total amount of thirteen million, four hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred and thirty four Ghana cedis, thirty two pesewas was accrued in 2009 as against that of fourteen million, four hundred and twenty nine thousand seventy six Ghana cedis fifty peewas in 2008.
In lieu of the land disputes and mismanagement of stool lands, the drafting committee on legislative instruments is drafting an LI to give the OASL the mandate to prosecute individuals and institutions that violates the laws governing stool lands and forestry.
In seconding the motion, members commended the committee for a good job done but urged the drafting committee to ensure the LI is drafted in time to forestall the violence associated with stool
lands.
In a related development, the minister of tourism in commemoration of world tourism day which falls on Thursday September 27, said “I urge members of the house to work closely with the ministry of tourism, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, traditional authorities, the private sector and other stakeholders to mobilize requisite funding for the development of historical, cultural, natural products and sites across the country”.
She also urged stakeholders across the world to do more in ensuring a brighter energy efficient world.