Tension at Pokuase as land owners clash with Estate Developers

Allodial Land owners of the Pokuase “Agric” Lands, last Wednesday, April 12, 2023, clashed with estate developers, chasing them from the land when officials of the developers went there to carry out their business.

Wearing red dresses and red bands the land owners stormed the place near the Olympics stadium at Amasaman where the estate developers had conveyed for a handing over ceremony on the disputed land.

Speaking with ghananewsonline.com.gh on the issue, Nii Nkwantabisa, the Dzaasetse of Pokuase stated that the 532.749acres land was acquired from the seven allodial land owners at Pokuase in 1947 by the then government for pig farming but the project did not happen.

However, the land has been used for other agricultural purposes by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) all these while. He maintained that after 75years the lease agreement on the Land between the families and government has elapsed, as the lease was for only 50 years.

Subsequently, they (Families) have written several times to government for the return of the lands to the allodial families, but no meaningful, response has been received from the government, and as they keep waiting, while they wait to decide their next line of action, they heard that their land has been sold out to these developers by the government, for the construction of affordable Houses.

According to the Dzaasetse, this arrangement has been on the blind side of the rightful owners of the land as a result they were there to prevent the estate developers (5 of Them) from carrying out any such business. “This is a do-and–die affair” he emphasized.

Corroborating the Dzaasetse’s position, Chief of Afiaman Nii Afia III, indicated that they were going to resist any attempt by the government to take them for a ride, by depriving them of what their fore fathers had fought for.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo’s Father, Edward Akufo-Addo was Lawyer to the families on the said lands from 1947-1952. Therefore, Nana Akufo-Addo should step in.

On his part Nii Tinkorang Otublohum, maintained that government is very much aware that the said land belongs to the families, therefore the manipulations being made by government to take it over is quit worrisome. He intimated that all that they needed was that their land is returned to them without further delay.

Nii Nkwantabisa pointed out that Pokuase lacks in all social amenities such as hospitals, police stations, schools, markets and even cemetery. So, if their land is given back to them they can use part for these necessary amenities

Land commission, MCE stand accused; but MCE debunks allegations

The aggrieved land owners accused the Ga West municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Clement Wilkinson of being involved in this deal, and behind these sordid deals.

When the MCE was contacted he denied it, saying that he was rather protecting the land. He intimated that as MCE for seven (7) years, at level 700 he would like to leave a good name behind when he leaves office. As such, he will do away thing possible to protect the image of the government and his own party the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“I will not allow anybody to sell government land to any private person!” he explained. According to him, when he came to office, Eleven (11) acres of the said land had already been sold and the buyer held registered papers with the Ga North Assembly.

While saying that he did not know of any private estate developers, the MCE said that parcels of the said land had been used as churches, mechanic shops and many more. He was however quick to point out that government should endeavor to consult with the land owners in this respect to avoid these mistrust and misconceptions on the Agric lands.

By S.O. Ankamah