By Lawrence Odoom
A newly constructed National Democratic Congress (NDC) office complex at Awiaso Junction in the Ellembelle District has been extensively vandalised by unknown armed men, deepening a simmering dispute over the land on which it stands.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of May 7. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants, armed with guns and machetes, forcibly demolished sections of the facility, which was estimated to cost about GH¢1 million.
District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Joseph Armah Agyekum, condemned the incident in unequivocal terms, describing the action as “unlawful and unacceptable.”
Speaking to journalists at the project site near Aiyinasi, he stressed that “no individual or group had the authority to pull down any structure except through lawful means sanctioned by the courts or the District Security Council (DISEC), which he chairs.”
The DCE explained that the disputed land was purchased in 2017 by the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, from the late Chief Nana Boadi at a reported cost of GH¢20,000 per plot.
However, following the chief’s death, the Awiaso royal family challenged the validity of the transaction, insisting that “the land had not been properly transferred.”
Mr. Agyekum said the matter was initially taken to court but was later withdrawn to pursue settlement through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
To avert prolonged litigation, the NDC agreed to repurchase the land and acceded to conditions set by the royal family. These included the employment of local youth on the project, support for the construction of a palace, and the payment of annual royalties.
The DCE alleged that after a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed, “the royal family introduced an additional demand that the NDC and the MP facilitate the gazetting of King Kaku Aka III as Overlord of Nzema land.”
He maintained that this demand “fell outside the authority of both the party and the MP.”
He further claimed the structure had been targeted on previous occasions since construction works began.
Meanwhile, the Ellembelle NDC Constituency Chairman, Alex Mahama, has issued a stern warning against further acts of vandalism, cautioning that “persons involved could face arrest and prosecution if apprehended.”