The principal of the Ghana International School (GIS), Frank Amponsah-Mensah Esq, has spoken out about reports of an attempt by an individual(s) linked to the Office of the President to take over the school's land.
Speaking in an interview on GhanaWeb TV's #SayitLoud, a worried Amponsah-Mensah confirmed reports that some persons led by a man who identified himself as Chief Superintendent Ibrahim Opoku of the VVIPU, believed to be from the Office of the President, had invaded the school's land with building materials including sand and blocks.
He even indicated that the invaders brought in an excavator to dig trenches and commence the construction of a wall over the land.
The principal categorically stated that the land in question, which is adjacent to the GIS's classroom and office buildings, belongs to the school.
According to him, the land, which used to host three government bungalows, was bought by the school from the Lands Commission years ago, and it is surprising that someone is claiming ownership of it now.
"There is a building here; it is an old building, and one of our staff lives here. Because of what has happened, we have had to start constructing our wall. It used to be three of them (the buildings). We demolished an initial two and maintained one of them," he said during a tour of the said land with GhanaWeb.
He further stated, "We have a lease from the Lands Commission for the land... It had bungalows on it. There were people living here and so when we bought it, they moved out. We demolished two of the bungalows and left one."
Lawyer Amponsah-Mensah also narrated the events that transpired on Saturday, August 29, 2024, the day the invaders attempted to claim the land.
He said that around 2 a.m. on Saturday, a tipper truck laden with sand drove to the gate of the property in an attempt to tip the sand onto the property. This was resisted by GIS security and the Cantonments police who had been called in.
However, a plain-clothed individual in a Toyota Camry car with registration number ER 297-23 insisted that the truck be allowed to enter and tip the sand.
The principal said the Cantonments Police picked up two people in the tipper truck. GIS personnel were also invited to the station, and the individual in the Toyota car followed.
At the Cantonments Police Station, he gave his name as Chief Superintendent Ibrahim Opoku of the VVIPU, a division of the Ghana Police Service which is solely responsible for providing protection to the Presidency.
He further narrated that that same morning, an excavator was brought to the site to excavate the land in preparation for the construction of a fence wall, but the school authorities also resisted that move.
He added that the school management then took steps to secure its property, including using their school bus to block its entrance.
Watch the full interview below:
BAI/ ADG
Meanwhile, catch up on GhanaWeb's interview with Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service, as he explains the procedures involved in undertaking projects that are originally government projects. He spoke with Etsey Atisu on The Lowdown:
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