By Lawrence Odoom
Five individuals have been arrested and remanded into police custody following the violent destruction of a National Democratic Congress (NDC) office building under construction in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of May 7, saw assailants armed with guns and machetes demolish portions of the facility. The structure, valued at approximately GH¢1 million, suffered extensive damage in the incident.
Speaking to Citi News, the NDC Constituency Communications Officer, Kwesi Hanson, said the party remains resolute and will proceed with the project.
“We have mobilised the contractors to come on site following the incident. We had to organise some materials for the construction. Investigations are still ongoing, so we are anticipating that by the time they are done, we will have a full report on whatever transpired and who these people were,” he said.
The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Joseph Armah Agyekum, has condemned the assault, describing it as unlawful and unacceptable.
He stressed that no individual or group had the authority to demolish any structure except through lawful channels sanctioned by the courts or the District Security Council (DISEC), which he chairs.
According to Mr. Agyekum, 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 demise, the Awiaso royal family contested the validity of the transaction, maintaining that the land had not been properly transferred.
The matter was initially filed in court but was later withdrawn to pursue settlement through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Mr. Agyekum explained that to avoid protracted litigation, the NDC agreed to compensate for the land and accepted conditions stipulated by the royal family. These included employing local youth on the project, supporting the construction of a palace, and paying annual royalties.
The DCE further alleged that after a Memorandum of Understanding was 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 stated that this demand fell outside the authority of both the party and the MP. He also claimed the structure had been targeted on previous occasions since construction commenced.