Ga-Dangme Youth criticises government

Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - The Ga-dangme Youth Association on Tuesday expressed displeasure at the way indigenous lands were taken by government without recourse to the constitution.

"A walk around Cantonments, Roman Ridge, Airport Residential Area, among others shows the wanton scramble and acquisition of lands which should have been reverted to indigenes after the expiration of its leasehold," it said.

Nii Dzale, President of the Association, said this at a press conference to raise concern about the matter especially, government's move to acquire 8,000 plots of land at Adjen Kotoku for resettlement of squatters at Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra.

"It is unfortunate that just when we expect the release of our lands, attempts are being made to render us more landless and homeless in our land. Recent attempts to resettle squatters at Adjen Kotoku is an affront to our sensibility.

"It is not tolerable anymore and those behind this scheme must think twice."

Nii Dzale noted that land issue had always being the crux of many ethnic conflicts and wars around the globe. "We all must be careful not to tread into dangerous waters."

Nii Tackie Amoah VI, Chief of Adjen Kotoku, said although Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, former Minister of Tourism and Mr Saddique Abubakur Boniface, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, visited his palace on the said land, there has not been any negotiation or transaction to that effect.

He therefore warned against any false rumour that government had acquired lands at Adjen Kotoku for resettlement. Mr Rashid Dodoo, of the Research and Planning Department of Ga-dangme Renaissance Union, said the squatters should rather be resettled in their respective regions as a means of developing other parts of the country.

Ms Sarah Mills-Okaikoi, Vice Chairperson, Gadangme International, called on the chiefs and people of the area not to accept bribes or any offer which would thwart the efforts being made to stop government from acquiring lands.