La youth accuse Military of ‘stealing and selling’ their lands

The Chiefs and youth of the La Traditional Area are accusing the Ghana Armed Forces of taking their lands indiscriminately.

Speaking to Atinka News, the President of the Coalition of La Youth Association, Augustine Nii Amoah Noi, said the military is taking advantage of its acquisition of the area to take over "other lands to the extent of even selling lands to individuals”.

He is therefore calling on the military to as a matter of urgency desist from the act of selling, as well as settling on any piece of land outside their acquisition area without the consent of the La stool.

Augustine Nii Amoah Noi said the military enclaves comprising 798.72 acres of land was acquired in 1938 by the then colonial government for the construction of an aerodrome which eventually became a hospitable facility for the military during the 2nd world war.

He further noted that the political precedent of owning property at all cost on the La land is directly replicated and prosecuted by the military in recent times leaving nothing to desire of the military which is supposed to epitomize peace, discipline, integrity and above respect for all authorities.

Nii Amoah Noi stated that the La stool deserves respect and gratitude from successive governments and especially institutions operating on the La land of which the military is no exception.

According to him, what they ( La people) have rather observed in recent times is “the frequent harassment visited on ‘Lamei’ by the military and above all, the gross disrespect and insubordination to their Paramount Chief”.

Augustine Nii Amoah Noi called on the government particularly the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the President to bring the military to order and as well pay compensation and royalties accrued from the trade fair and other facilities that have been acquired in that regard.