The Office of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, believes the protest by some residents of Nsawam-Adoagyir, Akwamu, Owuraku, and Ntoaso in the Eastern Region against the transfer of their lands to estate developer, KOANS, is politically motivated.
The youth on Wednesday marched on the streets to register their displeasure over what they say is the unlawful leasing of their lands
[contextly_sidebar id=”uK3ibR5aekoLH4uxxTCD1WNavNAtDdDI”]The lands, which they claim were acquired by the Supreme Military Council (SMC) regime in 1977 for pineapple farming, were transferred to Nana Konadu under questionable circumstances.
Subsequently, they claim that Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, now the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), leased the lands to KOANS estate company.
However, Spokesperson for Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Owusu Bempah, rubbished these concerns on Eyewitness News, challenging the residents to go to court to have their concerns addressed.
He said the lands in question had been legally handed over to the 31st Women’s Movement and not Nana Konadu as being suggested.
“Those lands have been taken to court for five times, and they have left the case. 31st December Women’s Movement won those cases in terms of land litigation and land problems in those Nsawam areas. If they have any problem, they can resort to the court of appeal, but resorting to unnecessary demonstrations will not solve the problem.
“I think that some politicians are influencing these people to do that… I know people are riding behind the tricks of politics just to draw unnecessary attention…As far as I am concerned, I can give you documentation to support that. It is not her personal property.”
Accusations by supposed land owners
Whiles accusing management of the estate company of terrorizing them with land guards, the residents after a demonstration on Wednesday morning petitioned the Municipal Chief Executive.
Nana Amoako Ampong, the Dwantoahene of Adoagyiri, who is leader for the demonstrators said they want their lands back.
“We have been fighting for our lands and as part of efforts, we petitioned the late President Atta Mills before his death, and subsequently his excellency President John Mahama who directed us to Alhaji Fuseini the then Lands Minister. He assured us that he was working on it till they lost the election. We hope this government will take back our lands for us.”
“Rather, we heard the former first lady had offered our lands to KOANS. We are giving the government a week’s ultimatum to sack all the land guards from here. We are the rightful owners of the land, and we have the title documents. You are our father figure here and that is why we have petitioned you, but if we do not hear from you in a week, we will advise ourselves.”
The MCE for Nsawam Adoagyir, Isaac Kojo Buabeng, who received the petition, called for calm and pleaded with the demonstrators to allow the laws of the country to work.
“I have received your petition, and I will make sure that I forward it to the right people for our concerns to be addressed. I represent the President; this means you have petitioned Nana Akufo-Addo himself. I only plead that you stay calm and not resort to violence. I wi
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By: Marian Ansah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah
