Nene Ayiku Obleh Adebontenya IV
After one year of negotiations to resolve a dispute over the rightful ownership of thousands of acres of land on a boundary between Prampram and Shai Traditional Areas, an amicable resolution has been found.
The resolution followed a demarcation exercise conducted by the Lands Commission with support from the various family heads and clans from both traditional areas.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Prampram, to officially communicate the outcome of the resolution to the public, Evans T. N. Nartey, Administrator of the Prampram Customary Lands Secretariat, said individuals or groups who bought lands prior to the demarcation should not worry about losing their lands.
“Anyone who may have bought lands on and around the boundary stretch from the Shai Traditional Area and have unfortunately been affected by the demarcation exercise, do not panic. Be assured that the land-owning divisions, clans’ families and individuals have put in the necessary measures to address the situation through the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat,” he said.
In the past, dispute over the rightful ownership of the land has led to violent clashes, leading to arrest of persons from both sides. Officials relied on a land document developed in the 1900s, the Jackson Report, to help bring clarity to the exact areas the two traditional areas occupy, and which of the families or clans owns what within their own boundaries.
Mr. Nartey also said the establishment of the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat was equally key to the resolution of the dispute, because it helped the four divisions within Prampram to negotiate a resolution from a single source.
“All land-owning divisions, clans, families and individuals, the outfit derives its operational mandate from the Lands Act 2020 (Act1036) under the supervision of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands,” he added.
Nene Ayiku Obleh Adebontenya IV, Divisional Chief of Kley and President of the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat, who also provided insights into the resolution, expressed satisfaction about the outcome. He said the issues that fuelled the dispute and the violent clashes are now behind the two traditional areas.
Nene Adebontenya IV said the customary land secretariat will continue to execute the effective management of lands in the traditional area, provide transparency and clarity, as well as assured the public of the safety of their purchased lands.
Present at the press conference were family heads from Olowe, Kley, Annor We and Lakpleh.
A Daily Guide Report