Customal leaders of Akwamu are demanding the federal government to return unutilised lands across the Akosombo Dam to their rightful custodians, following the alleged sale and encroachment on the land by private and non-private developers.
They alleged that the lands, initially given to the government for the development of the Akosombo Dam have been being quietly offered off by people inside the Lands Fee and different state actors — without due regard for the customal homeowners.
The decision was made throughout the 4th Akwasidae Competition on Sunday on the Bogyawe Palace at Akwamufie, underneath the management of Omanhene Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III.
Talking on the durbar, the Osomanyawa (Chief Administrator) of Akwamu, Aaron Kwabena Packeys, identified by his stool identify Nana Akonnor Bekai Ababio V, emphasised that, “these are stool lands and have to be returned to their rightful conventional custodians.”
He stated, “We’re alarmed by the unlawful sale of those lands. The federal government should take responsibility and handle this earlier than the state of affairs worsens.”
Nana Bekai, who additionally serves because the Ayokohene and Mankrado of Akwamuman, said that whereas the Akwamu folks willingly gave up massive tracts of land many years in the past for the development of the dam, they’d not been compensated, nor have the unused lands been returned.
He said that the Akwamu chiefs weren’t solely requesting restitution but additionally searching for transparency from the state, concerning how lands earmarked for public infrastructure have been being managed and mismanaged.
“The Akosombo Dam is a nationwide treasure, and we provided land for its development in good religion. However at present, we’re witnessing a betrayal — not by the government alone, however by the very establishments meant to safeguard these lands,” he lamented.
In addressing current media stories claiming that Akwamu leaders have been resisting government-led land restoration efforts, Nana Bekai firmly rejected the claims as “false and damaging,” and demanded a public retraction.
“We help Clemence Gyato and the federal government’s efforts to get better encroached state lands. Any suggestion in any other case is misinformation,” he confused.
The federal government marketing consultant in control of reclaiming states land encroachment, Mr Clemence Gyato, corroborated the chiefs’ issues and affirmed their collaboration. He warned that unlawful constructions on state lands close to the river could be demolished.
“We’ve got data of individuals’ constructing near the riverfinancial institution with questionable documentation. Some declare chiefs offered them the land, however Nana has pledged to assist us investigate these instances completely,” he elaborated.
Furthermore, Mr Gyato announced plans to arrange a monitoring submit within the space to curb future encroachments and work intently with the normal authorities as a way to preserve order.
The competition introduced collectively conventional leaders, neighborhood members, dignitaries, development companions, and different key stakeholders.
FROM STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG, AKWAMUFIE
