'Stop stealing our lands' – La group to government

The Coalition of La Associations is accusing President Nana Akufo-Addo of deliberately refusing to act on petitions sent to his office regarding some “looted” La lands.

The La Traditional Council last year petitioned the President over what it described as the military's attempt to annex and dish out La lands to friends and cronies under the guise of acquiring a portion for a cemetery in honour of the late Major Maxwell Mahama.

The disgruntled coalition, which is already questioning President Akufo-Addo's silence on the matter, insists the president must speak now.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, 29 April 2019, the spokesperson for the coalition, Mr Joseph Quaye, said they will resist attempt to steal lands lawfully owned by the people of La.

“We wish to remind the President that as the trustee of state-acquired lands, he owes the original land owners a duty to do good by them and not turn a blind eye and deaf ears to the petition, especially when provided with evidence of same,” he stated.

“We have resolved that we shall not allow the use of such unconstitutional, illegal, irregular or clandestine methods to steal our lands and we will resist same by every means possible,” he added.

He further cautioned the military to desist from dragging “the good name and image of the late Major Mahama into their attempt to steal our lands and further advised his family to decline the gesture as the motivation is very dishonest”.