The Coalition of Concerned Nzema People (CCNP) has petitioned His Excellency, President, John Dramani Mahama, to as a matter of urgency, intervene in what it describes as serious irregularities in the implementation of the Petroleum Hub Development Project in the Domunli enclave in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
According a petition submitted to the Presidency, the coalition outlines concerns regarding what it believes to be a misrepresentation of a key presidential directive on the size of land to be acquired for the commencement of the project.
According to the group, the President’s decision to limit the land size to 5,000 acres was clear and widely understood by directly affected community members.
The decision was broadly welcomed by the public, who regarded the President as a listening leader acting in good faith to address concerns that had previously been overlooked under earlier administrations.
However, the coalition alleged that some officials connected to the project have adopted a strategy that effectively expands the scope of land acquisition.
Stakeholder engagements, it claimed, are being conducted on the basis of 5,000 hectares approximately 12,360 acres which represents a significantly larger area.
The group argued that this interpretation contradicts the President’s directive and risks extending the project beyond the approved limit, despite earlier interventions made in response to concerns raised by rightful landowners.
The CCNP further stated that it is in possession of official correspondence confirming that the approved land size remains 5,000 acres and is therefore calling for a clear and unequivocal restatement of this directive to eliminate any ambiguity.
Beyond the issue of land size, the coalition raised concerns about what it describes as the exclusion of recognised allodial landowners from ongoing consultations.
It emphasised that families, clan heads, petitioners, and youth groups whose concerns prompted the President’s intervention have not been meaningfully included in the current engagement processes, despite this forming part of the directive.
According to the petitioners, consultations have largely been limited to a narrower group, including selected traditional leaders whose positions, in some instances, appear to override those of the direct families and clans holding allodial title to lands in Nzema.
The coalition noted that interests in the land are currently being contested by rightful landowning families.
It contended that this approach undermines fairness, transparency, and the overall legitimacy of the process, particularly where the voices of principal allodial families and customary handholding groups are concerned.
The group also pointed to what it describes as a breakdown in agreed procedures.
It recalled that a review committee, directed by the Office of the President to consider stakeholder concerns, was discontinued midway through its formation. In the coalition’s view, the absence of this committee has contributed to an unstructured and selective engagement process.
Citing constitutional and legal provisions, the CCNP emphasised that compulsory land acquisition must follow due process.
This included proper consultation with affected and rightful landowners, especially recognised allodial families and clans, as well as strict adherence to established legal frameworks.
"Any deviation from these requirements raises serious concerns regarding the legality and long-term sustainability of the project", the statement stated.
Importantly, the coalition acknowledged and commended His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for his earlier responsiveness and willingness to listen to the concerns of affected communities, particularly rightful allodial landowners whose ancestral lands are directly impacted.
The group noted that his prior intervention demonstrated leadership and sensitivity to grassroots concerns, raising expectations that the current issues will receive similar urgent attention and resolution.
In light of these issues, the coalition is urging the President to take immediate steps to restore clarity and confidence in the process:
1. A reaffirmation that the approved land size remains 5,000 acres
2. A directive to all relevant agencies to strictly comply with this approval
3. Inclusive engagement with all recognised allodial landowners, especially families and clans with established ancestral rights
4. The reconstitution of the previously proposed review committee with a clear mandate and timeline
5. A comprehensive review of the entire process to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
The Coalition of Concerned Nzema People maintained that its position is not opposed to development but rather focused on ensuring that the process is conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.
As discussions around the Petroleum Hub Project continue, the coalition’s petition brings renewed attention to the need for clarity, inclusivity, and strict adherence to due process issues that remain central to the concerns of affected communities in Jomoro.
As the nation is watching, the Coalition of Concerned Nzema People stated that indigenes and ordinary Ghanaians particularly rightful landowning families and clans must be treated fairly in matters of this nature.
They maintained that history would record how His Excellency John Dramani Mahama responds to this moment, in comparison with past administrations.
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