Govt secures loan to fund Land Administration Project

The government has secured a 20.5 million dollars loan to fund the implementation of the country's Land Administration Project (LAP).

Miss Theresa Tagoe, Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry, said the disbursement of the loan would start in October.

She was addressing a forum organised by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Miss Tagoe said the successful take off of the project would enhance land management through the establishment of a more efficient system of land administration. ''It will simplify the process of land acquisition.''

She told the students that the Ministry had put in place pragmatic measures to control illegal chainsaw and timber activities.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, said monies from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) relief fund were being used to assist to reduce poverty among the rural and urban poor.

He said the repeal of the criminal libel law by the NPP government had brought much freedom to the people and "they are now able to freely express their views on all issues without fear".

Mr Stephen Amoah, President of the Ashanti TESCON, appealed to the government not to become complacent but should work harder.