Unknown armed men have reportedly demolished portions of a new office complex belonging to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Awiaso Junction in the Ellembelle District following a deepening dispute over ownership of the land.
The attack is said to have occurred in the early hours of May 7, with the assailants allegedly wielding guns and machetes as they stormed the construction site and pulled down sections of the nearly completed facility. The project is estimated to be worth about GH¢1 million.
District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Joseph Armah Agyekum, has condemned the incident, describing the destruction as unlawful and unacceptable.
Speaking to journalists at the site near Aiyinasi, the DCE stressed that no individual or group has the authority to demolish any structure outside the legal processes sanctioned by the courts or the District Security Council (DISEC), which he chairs.
According to Mr Agyekum, the disputed land was purchased in 2017 by the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, from the late chief Nana Boadi at a reported cost of GH¢20,000 per plot.
However, following the death of the chief, members of the Awiaso royal family reportedly challenged the validity of the transaction, insisting the land had not been properly transferred.
The DCE explained that although the matter was initially taken to court, both parties later agreed to pursue settlement through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process in an effort to avoid prolonged legal battles.
As part of attempts to resolve the impasse, he said the NDC agreed to repay for the land and accepted several conditions proposed by the royal family. These reportedly included the employment of local youth on the construction project, support toward the building of a palace, and the payment of annual royalties.
Mr Agyekum further alleged that after a Memorandum of Understanding had already been signed, the royal family introduced an additional demand requiring the NDC and the MP to facilitate the gazetting of King Kaku Aka III as Overlord of Nzema land.
According to him, that request was beyond the authority of both the political party and the Member of Parliament.
The DCE also disclosed that the project had allegedly come under attack on previous occasions since construction began.
Meanwhile, the Ellembelle Constituency Chairman of the NDC, Alex Mahama, has warned against further acts of vandalism, cautioning that anyone caught engaging in the destruction of property could face arrest and prosecution.
The incident has heightened tensions in the area, with growing calls for security agencies and local authorities to intervene swiftly to prevent further escalation and restore calm.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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