File photo, suspected land guards arrested by the Police
The Ashanti Regional Security Council(REGSEC) has warned that it will arrest and prosecute persons found to have engaged the services of land guards in the region.
According to the REGSEC, the land guards will not be spared either, as they will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
The warning comes after the REGSEC said it has observed with serious concern the gradual surge of illegal operations of land guards in some communities in the region.
Land guards are organized criminal groups employed to protect land and property, over land disputes and controversies, using violence, which always results in the eruption of violent clashes.
A statement signed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah explained that over the years, the Ashanti Region has been fortunate because all stool lands are vested in His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, with his chiefs as caretakers. There is therefore every opportunity, in instances of land controversies and disputes, to appeal to His Majesty for the resolution of the disputes."
The REGSEC asked citizens within the region to resort to the right channel to have issues about their lands addressed.
“Based on this fact, the Ashanti Regional Security Council requests all citizens in the region to use the right procedures to address their land disputes rather than to employ the use of land guards whose activities always threaten law-abiding citizens and result in violence.
“It is the expectation of the Regional Security Council, that the public will accept the above directives for strict compliance to ensure peace in the region. Let us all work together to make the Region an orderly, safe, and peaceful one.” the statement added.
