The Attorney General’s Department is warning the Ghana Armed Forces against using brute force to take over lands and property at Tse-Addo in the East Dadekotopon area in Accra.
[contextly_sidebar id=”mAUOwzOiqbMdEt2MzB8Arco1Ln8ddgik”]The AG wants the military to commence the formal process through the ministry of Defense for the compulsory acquisition of the 2456.55 acres and pay prompt and adequate compensation to the current owners of the land.
In a letter signed by Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, addressed to the Directorate of Legal Services at the Ghana armed forces, the Attorney General advised that until the formal acquisition procedure is pursued the “Ghana Armed Forces must not engage in acts of trespass to the land or by means of the use of force seek to prevent the current land owners from developing their lands”.
For the AG, this is regardless of the fact that “the evidence from the initial negotiations indicates that there is no dispute with respect to the legitimacy of the security set-up’s need” and “for that matter the public purpose for which the land will be put.”
The Ghana Armed forces went on rampage to demolish houses and walls at Tse-Addo.
This demolition exercise according to them was to “ward off developers who by their actions were threatening the security and safety of some sensitive military installations.”
The Landowners however disagree, they indicate that the military, who they say is seeking to use crude means to dispossess them of their lands started harassing their workers about a year ago.
The Attorney General adds that it was abundantly clear from evidence adduced at the negotiations and “from all documentation made available that the Ghana armed Forces have not disputed the fact that the lands belongs to the East Dadekotopon Development Trust” who in turn sold these lands to the current owners.
The letter proceeded to assert that the in consequence any attempt to enforce the creation of the security buffer Zone outside of the framework of the law is unconstitutional.
Following the demolition, the land owners at a press conference expressed their resolve to drag the military to the courts for damaging their property.
Something many say looks like a judgment debt in the offing.
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By: Raymond Acquah/citifmonline.com/Ghana