Groups threaten demonstration against looting of lands by politicians

The Coalition of La Associations (COLA) and the GaDangme Coalition Against Land Injustice have condemned the alleged rampant looting of lands in the Greater Accra Region, particularly targeting the La Traditional area.

A statement delivered at a press conference on July 25, 2024, reflects the growing public outrage over what the groups describe as the immoral and unauthorized sale of lands by government officials and their associates.

The coalition expressed concern over recent actions involving key land parcels, notably the Ghana Prisons Service lands in Cantonments.

According to the group, a recent announcement by the Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, revealed an arrangement with a private developer to redevelop portions of this land.

“It has become extremely important to invite you here this morning for this briefing following recent public outcry over the continuous and unprecedented wanton dissipation of lands within the Greater Accra Region in general and particularly in the La Traditional area by government and some state officials.

“The rapid manner in which these lands are being sold out to politicians and their cronies has not only become a disturbing subject of public discourse but also smacks of the highest level of insults from government to the traditional authorities, under whose jurisdiction these lands are located, i.e., the chiefs of La, whose subjects continue to ridicule them on the issue without justification despite efforts to get this land looting spree halted,” part of the statement read by Jeffrey Tetteh, the lead convener, said.

The Coalition denounced this arrangement as unethical, arguing that it disregards the rights of the allodial landowners, the Traditional Authorities of La.

They have called for an immediate halt to this redevelopment plan and insist that the land be retained for the Prisons Service unless the La community is properly involved in any future decisions.

“This immoral arrangement makes room for the private developer to retain the remainder of the land for his private business without any provision for the allodial owners of the land, i.e., the Traditional Authorities. In our view, this is one of such bad decisions which should not be countenanced. We are asking the government to halt that process and leave that whole parcel of land for use by the Prisons Service.

“However, should the government insist on disposing of this land in question, then the people of La must of necessity be involved.”

In addition to the Prisons Service lands, the Coalition has highlighted issues surrounding the Trade Fair land, which includes areas occupied by the Labadi Beach and La Palm Royal Beach hotels.

They asserted that, since its acquisition in the early 1960s, the land has seen no compensation payments to the original landowners.

The Coalition criticized the current government’s redevelopment program, which they allege has led to the sale of these lands to politicians and private developers, further compounding the injustice faced by the original landowners.

The statement also covered other affected areas, including lands under the Parks and Gardens at Cantonments, state housing properties in South La Labone and Cantonments, Ministry of Agriculture land near the Burma Camp overpass, and judges' bungalows in Cantonments.

The Coalition urged all private developers to halt any ongoing or planned work on these lands until proper discussions are held with the Traditional Authorities.

As part of their protest, the Coalition has announced a series of demonstrations starting Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to voice their dissatisfaction and demand a reversal of the affected transactions.

“The Coalition of La Associations (COLA) and the GaDangme Coalition Against Land Injustice are also announcing a series of DEMONSTRATIONS commencing Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to drive home our displeasure and demand a reversal of ALL affected transactions.

“The Coalition of La Associations and its GaDangme partners believe that the people of GaDangme and in particular those from La have not been treated fairly compared to people from other parts of the country. It is only when this is done that we can be at peace and be guaranteed of a peaceful coexistence with all other people.”

AM/ek

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