The marathon tug-of-war between the government, the Lands Commission and some families of the Ga land over the illegal sale of Ga Traditional lands to top politicians and public workers is certainly far from over.
This paper, in its investigations, has chanced upon documentary evidence proving that Ga lands which have become a bone of contention naturally belong to a particular family (name withheld) who are setting out to turn these portions of lands into leaseholds and claim rent from occupants or enter into possession or occupation of the portion which are still vacant.
Interesting as it may be, as the heat of the acquisition of Ga lands reaches its crescendo, names of some top government officials have come up as people who have, by virtue of their attachment to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, and those from the previous administration have access to parcels of these lands.
Documents in possession of Today shows a detailed list of these State lands located at Cantonments and Ridge Residential Area in the Greater Accra Region which have been given out to top politicians, public workers, private institutions, banks and government officials.
Names of personalities like Nii Okoe Vanderpuije, Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, Nii Kinka Adama Latse, Mrs. Rose Bio Atinga, Numo Blafo, and Nii Afotey Agbo, have all cropped up as members of the ruling administration which have acquired some of these lands.
Others include President John Evans Atta Mills, Ac4664; Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Professor Kofi Awoonor, 203/87 AC4433; Peter Nanfuri, Ac4227 LS297/26, AC4960; Edward Kojo Salia, 53/99ac4258; Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Mustapha Gariba, Ac4914; Martin B. K. Amidu, Dr Charles Jebuni, Ac783243/200; Fred W. A. Attoh, Ac 4264198/86; 31st December Women’s Movement Ac8124; Prof. Yaw Twumasi, Ac4677; Dr. Kobla Gbedemah, Ac4277 l S84/96; Christian Yao Zigah, Ac4285 234/88; Ferdinand Ohene Kena, Ac42973/91, and; Oheneba Kow Richardson, Ac4284164/93 and former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
The names of top government officials such as Dr Kofi Ahmed file No. Ac436236/87; Mark Woyongo, Ac4961; Mr. J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Ac43177/89; Baba Camara, Brigadier Benedict Kodjo Akafia, Ac4981; Ahenkora Marfo, Ac4318179/89; Dr. Kwaku Temeng,Ac433641/95; Seth Gustav Okraku, Ac4984; Nana Fosu Randall, ac4984:Carl Henry Clark, Ac4977; Kwasi Tagbor, and Roland Setsaafa Agbenotor, Ac4894 were also cited as part of the ‘looting brigade.’
The rest are Alfred Kwao Ayivor, Stanley Q. Barnor, James T. Addico,Ac433439/90; George Nikoi Kotey, Ac4343270/90; Dr. Assibi A. Amidu,Aac435599/94; Ridway Brimah, Ac4363120/94; Vincent Assiseh, 65/97Ac4383; Patrick Nutor, 191/88 ac4426, Niki Bentsi Enchill, Col. Alhaji Ayumah, Wesi Andam, Ac7869; Justice N. S. Gbadegbe, Ac7834, and Daniel Kobla Nutsugah, Ac5023.
However, in as much as names of some government officials are coming up with regard to this land issue, some private organisations, banks and public agencies have been situated on the said lands, which according to insiders, were illegally doled out to these companies by the Lands Commission.
Today is also in possession of a detailed list of names of some organisations, banks and public agencies which before and beginning of this Fourth Republic, have acquired State parcels of land from Ga families.
Below are the names of the private organisations and public agencies involved in the acquisitions of the disputed State lands: Electricity Company of Ghana, Golf Club, New Judicial Service Land, Old Judicial Service Premises, Parliament House 1&2, CHRAJ, Bank of Ghana, Cedi House, SSNIT Head Office, AMA, National Lotteries and Cocoa Affairs Court.
Others are; Accra Community Centre, Vodafone Office, Anglican Cathedral Church, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, Castle, Centre for National Culture, CEPS Head Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Deeds Registry, Ghana Water Company, Head Office, Volta River Authority, Head Office, Stadium, Race Course, Ministry of Trade among others.
Today further gathered that the Lands Commission have converted itself into a land selling agency where lands are given to individuals, organisations, expatriate firms; without recourse to due procedure in tracing the real owners of the landing properties.
Although government recently placed a ban on the sale of public lands, questions are being raised as to whether the lands indeed, belong to government.
The paper’s investigations further revealed that the parcels of lands on which organisations like the Ministry of Tourism, Ministries Police Station, National Theater, British Council, all SSNIT Buildings within Accra and Ridge, SIC office, Ridge Hospital, Osu Cemetery, Electoral Commission and companies within the Opera Square, Accra, among others are sitting on are lands with questionable acquisition.
It was also established that some of these lands acquired by expatriate firms have been transferred on lease to other persons without the consent of the land owners.
In addition, other grantees when the lease expired preferred to take lease-hold interest from the Lands Commission but not the real owners.
This paper will in subsequent publications publish the genesis to conclusion of the Ga land issue.**
