Residents of La in the Greater Accra Region have strongly condemned what they describe as an unlawful invasion and demolition of properties on disputed land at Kaajaano, urging authorities to intervene and restore order.
At a press conference, the Coalition of La Associations stated that the incident began on April 11, when armed individuals, reportedly accompanied by police officers, forcefully entered portions of land within the La Traditional Area.
The group alleged that the operation was led by a known land dealer, Clemence Gyato.
According to the coalition, the disputed land forms part of the historic “Coconut Plantation,” an area whose ownership has been contested between La and Osu since the colonial era.
They referenced a 1902 ruling by then Chief Justice William Brandford Griffiths, which declared the land a neutral zone, with boundaries demarcated between the Obenesu and Klotey streams.
A subsequent 1948 ruling, they noted, reaffirmed this position.
Addressing the media, Nii Gata Ayi Wala Afoa, Secretary for Laboma and a member of the Coalition, accused some individuals from Osu of persistently harassing La residents and legally recognized landholders through alleged fraudulent ownership claims and unlawful land sales.
He warned that such actions are heightening tensions among the youth and could lead to violent confrontations if not addressed.
He further condemned recent demolition exercises carried out by alleged landguards, which have reportedly displaced hundreds of residents, mostly women and children, describing the actions as unlawful and unacceptable.
He indicated that the chiefs of La have not granted any portion of the disputed land to Clemence Gyato and are unaware of any approved development on the site.
While acknowledging the intervention of local authorities and traditional leaders, including the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly and the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, the group called for more decisive action.
They also raised concerns over the conduct of Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II during a recent visit to the site, alleging that established traditional protocols were not observed.
The coalition further referenced a communication from the Lands Commission dated April 14, 2026, which acknowledged that the land falls within both La and Osu jurisdictions.
However, they maintained that a larger portion of the land lies within La territory based on historically recognized boundaries.
The group called on the government and the Lands Commission to act impartially and engage all relevant stakeholders in resolving the dispute.
They also urged developers and interested parties to suspend all activities on the land until due legal processes are concluded.
Despite the tensions, the people of La reaffirmed their commitment to peace and expressed their willingness to engage their counterparts in Osu in dialogue toward an amicable resolution.
Source: Classfmonline.com
