Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has stated that the land in contention at an area in East Legon, Accra, called Mempeasem belongs to the state.
The ministry’s statement is contrary to claims by a group calling itself land and property owners of East Legon Mempeasem catchment area, who are fighting over the same land situated in between Trinity Theological Seminary and IDEAL College.
The Lands Ministry in a statement signed by the Chief Director, Prof. Patrick Agbesinyale, on Friday, said “for the avoidance of doubt, the land in contention, measuring an approximate area of 132 acres is a state land acquired by Executive Instrument 16 (2009) as site for Accra Training College,” adding that “over time, the land had suffered encroachment presumably from members of the group earlier mentioned.”
The statement clarified that demolition exercise conducted on the land on April 26, was primarily to halt further encroachment.
During its press conference, the group raised various allegations against the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah.
The group alleged that one Clement Gyato believed to be a known landguard was accompanied by some persons in police uniforms on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, to demolish several properties at Mempeasem.
But the ministry cited Article 257 (1) which states that “all public lands in Ghana shall be vested in the President on behalf of, and in trust for, the people of Ghana,” to justify the demolition.
It added that, “The Lands Commission has been mandated to manage all public lands,” saying, “In this regard, aggrieved persons should contact the Lands Commission for further details on the subject land.”