Varsity Chairman warns encroachers against Nungua Farm lands

Accra, Sept. 30 GNA - Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, Chairman of the University of Ghana Council, on Friday warned encroachers on the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Centre lands at Katamanso to desist from erecting structures and winning sand at the place or face the full rigors of the law.

He also called on relevant State institutions in charge of land related issues to use appropriate equipment to demarcate the boundaries and protect the lands belonging to Nungua Farms.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi gave the warning when he and members of the University Council paid a visit to the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Centre at Katamanso, near Ashaley Botwe to see the encroachment on the land by developers.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi said the University acquired 738 hectares at Katanmanso from the Governor General on April 1, 1953 for 200 years leasehold and paid compensations as well.

He said the University had all the legal and appropriate documents covering that parcel of land and warned developers not to trespass and those who were doing so would have their structures demolished by the law enforcement agencies.

He called for a comprehensive report on all the University's farmlands in the country to find solutions to the encroachment problems.

He also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide adequate protection to Researchers and Workers at the farm from encroachers, who constantly threatened their lives at the place. Dr Tsatsu Adogla-Bessa, Head of the Research Centre, said when the problem started some months ago the Centre initiated moves to meet the Nungua Stool which owned the land.

He said because there was conflict among the various factions at the Nungua Traditional Area it was difficult to sit down with any of the parties to deliberate on the land issue.

Dr Adogla-Bessa said for his immediate response to the encroachment on the place was to erect giant pillars to demarcate the boundaries of the land as well as public notices to ward off intruders. He also called for regular Police patrol in the area to prevent developers from building on the land and also to stop sand winners from degrading the environment.