Committee established to investigate Vakpo-Dunyo land conflict

Ho, Aug. 9, GNA - The Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC) has set up a committee under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Kwame Adjabeng, a retired Supreme Court Judge, to investigate and make recommendations to resolve the Vakpo-Dunyo land conflict. Other members of the six-member committee are Professor Clement Dorm Adzobu, environmentalist; Mrs Felicia Otchere-Darko, Chief State Attorney; Mr Abraham Klobodu, Volta Regional Security Co-ordinator and Mr Emmanuel Ofori-Dankwa, representing the Volta River Authority (VRA). The terms of reference of the committee, which was inaugurated by Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, on Tuesday include clarifying the legal instrument for the acquisition of the land in dispute, determine whether compensation was paid in respect of the land and determine what the social relationship is between the chiefs and people Vakpo and Dunyo and whether or not Dunyo community is independent of Vakpo.

The committee is also to tackle other matters including the death of one Alphonse Dzeble, within the disputed area in June this year. The committee is to submit its report within three months. Mr Dzamesi in a comment said conflicts were a setback to the clock of development and needless.

He expressed relief at the relative peace being enjoyed in some conflict prone areas in the Volta Region, which he attributed to "collaboration and support of some prominent citizens of the Region who served on committees I put in place to help solve such conflicts." Mr Justice Adjabeng gave the assurance that the committee would do its best to come out with recommendations that would promote peace in the area.

Mr Emmanuel Martey of the Estate Department of the VRA said the source of conflict in the resettlement areas was that while claimants of the land wanted to extend authority over settlers, the settlers wanted to remain as free enclaves.

The conflict is between the people of Vakpo and neighbouring settler communities of Vakpo-Dunyo over allegiance and ownership of land.