Students demonstrate against encroachment

Hohoe, Nov 2, GNA - Students of Saint Francis College of Education have staged a demonstration through the main streets of Hohoe in protest against encroachment on the college's land by estate developers. A petition signed by Mr Michael Sakpanyaku, the President of the Students' Representative Council, appealed to the government to stop the encroachment.

It said the encroachment was generating tension between students and developers and feared this could degenerate into clashes. Mr Victor-Hermann Condobrey, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive who received the petition, pledged to forward it to the appropriate quarters for redress.

He said the land was dutifully acquired by the government 102 years ago but without payment of compensation and condemned the encroachment. Mr Condobrey alleged that some present and former tutors as well as principals had acquired ownership of parcels of the land, making the issue multifaceted and demanding a more technical approach. He advised the students to concentrate on their academic work, the fundamental reason for being in school while stakeholders tackle the problem.

Mr Condobrey commended the students for the peaceful nature of the demonstration and the creation of awareness on the matter. Mr Denis M. K. Agbenuvor, Principal of the College, explained to the Ghana News Agency that the lands of the College were procured in 1905 and 1975.

He said 33.44 and 56.63 acres of land from five clans from the Gbi traditional area were released to the College.

They were the Ahorkli, Loh, Ayim, Ewou-Adjakwaku and Anyigba clans. He said by the resolution of a Technical Committee of the Volta Regional Land Commission, 31 acres of the said land was released to the landowners after one Mr Dumevi petitioned it in October 2006. Mr Agbenuvor said reasons adduced by the Committee were non-payment of compensation and resale of portions of the land by aggrieved landowners who were not aware of the acquisition.

He said 33 acres of land was given to the College to be regularised with its current infrastructure occupying additional 33 acres. On the allegation of acquisition by staff, Mr Agbenuvor said there was no inventory taken on buyers of the College's lands but stated that new buildings continue to spring up.