Chief superintendent Francis Yiribaare, Hon. Clement Wilkinson, Nii Amasa Oseiku II in a group photograph with other chiefs , assembly members and other opinion leaders.
The Amasaman Divisional Police in collaboration with the Ga West Municipal Assembly have met chiefs and sub-chiefs within the municipality to discuss the land guard menace and its effect on the area’s development.
According to police report, issues of land guards and land trespassing have increased of late in the area, leaving most victims traumatized and others injured.
Addressing the gathering, the divisional police commander for Amasaman, Chief Superintendent Francis Yiribaare, said even though crime rate in Amasaman and its environs is relatively high, cases of land guards and trespassing had taken over.
He said from January to April this year, the division has recorded about 476 cases of trespassing mostly involving land guards.
“The chiefs are the major stakeholders when it comes to land related issues, which is why we have met today with the Municipal Chief Executive to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Touching on other crime issues, Chief Superintendent Yiribaare said issues of defilement were also getting out of hand.
“From January to April alone, the division has recorded 21 defilement cases and this is also worrying.
“Defilement and rape cases are issues the police cannot control but need the assistance of the chiefs and opinion leaders to help educate citizens on the menace.”
He urged the chiefs to help the police reduce lawlessness and maintain peace in the community.
Adding his voice, the Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Clement Wilkinson called on the chiefs to, as a matter of urgency, help stop the issue of land guards in the vicinity.
“It is on record that it is the chiefs who engage the land guards and the assembly shall continue to support the police fight crime in the municipality.”
He also recalled an incidence where some irate youth clashed with the police at Kotapor, and destroyed two operational police cars in the process and called on the chiefs to help talk to the youth to desist from such acts of lawlessness.
Nii Kortey Boi II, Ofankor Mantse and presiding member of the assembly, urged his fellow chiefs to endeavor to engage their sub-chiefs and other members before leasing lands to individuals to avoid multiple sales of lands.
“When leasing lands, make sure you go through the documents and clauses very well before handing them over to the leasee and if there are issues, just go to court for clarification.”
The chiefs expressed their happiness for the opportunity given them to express their views on land guard and other crime related cases in the area.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey