Kasoa leads in land disputes in the Central Region

Winneba, C/R, Sept 13, GNA- Mr. Solomon Quarshie Abbam Quaye, Chief Executive of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District, expressed worry that Kasoa in the district was leading in land disputes in the Central Region.

He explained that the situation was as a result of rapid development taking place in the town and the quest for people to acquire land for settlement.

Mr. Quarshie was speaking at a day's workshop on land use planning and management project towards the development of a comprehensive land use planning and management system, at Winneba on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the Assembly and sponsored by the Nordic Development Fund, an Accra based non-governmental organisation. Assembly members, traditional rulers, heads of department of government agencies and other opinion leaders in the district attended the event.

Mr. Quaye said land disputes created enmity, anxiety among the people, and retarded development and urged land owners to legally dispose off lands to avoid disputes.

He noted that social amenities could not support the population of Kasoa but expressed optimism that if the town is well planned, it would attract investments, businesses and create more jobs. Mr. Alistair Blunt, Project Manager of Nordic Development Fund, said the project, which started in April this year, would be completed in March 2010 to enhance the formulation of settlement plans and management policy.

He appealed to government to formulation a bill on land use planning and management for consideration by Parliament to enhance development in the country.

Mr. Blunt called for comprehensive training and logistical support for town and country planning departments, members of district assembly and land owners to prevent haphazard development taking place in the country. 13 Sept. 07